Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Fri, 10/17/2008 10:23 AM | National
The House of Representatives named six new Supreme Court justices despite saying that none of them had shown the "reformative spirit" needed to improve the institution.
Showing a balanced combination of three career judges and three non-career ones, the list of new justices also includes the name of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) chairman Syamsul Maarif.
"They are the best we could get from the total 18 candidates. Frankly speaking, there's nothing special about them; they're just mediocre," chairman of the House's Commission III overseeing legal affairs, Trimedya Panjaitan, said here Thursday.
"The candidates failed to show their reformative sides. They gave normative and common answers to our questions on how to reform the Supreme Court."
Trimedya said the only satisfying part of the selection was that the House had been relatively successful in initiating a cameral-based system with Syamsul, who has expertise in business law, winning votes from commission members.
"Syamsul is expected to contribute something new to the Supreme Court with his expertise. The Supreme Court has never had a justice with a business law background before," he said.
Syamsul gained support from 38 of the 48 lawmakers.
"I regret that the only candidate from the state administrative court didn't win enough votes. I also regret that the Judicial Commission didn't offer us any candidates from the religious court, when we need justices from different backgrounds to be able to handle all legal cases," Trimedya said.
Lawmaker Nursyahbani Katjasungkana of the National Awakening Party (PKB) said the Supreme Court needed justices from a variety of backgrounds so it could adjust to contemporary issues.
"In the past, we categorized cases under criminal and civic laws. Today, our society has become more complicated with more specific issues like women, children, corruption and business competition," she said.
She also praised Syamsul, whom she said could bring new spirit to the Supreme Court.
"I think he has the integrity to avoid receiving bribes," Nursyahbani said, adding Syamsul was "young" enough to make him stay longer at the court.
At the age of 51, Syamsul is the youngest justice.
Justice Andi said he was committed to upholding transparency for the public's sake.
"The public deserves transparency in getting access to the information that belongs to them," he said.
"I will also initiate an effort to restrict justices from having any meetings with anyone involved in cases they're handling. This is to prevent bribery."
The House of Representatives named six new Supreme Court justices despite saying that none of them had shown the "reformative spirit" needed to improve the institution.
Showing a balanced combination of three career judges and three non-career ones, the list of new justices also includes the name of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) chairman Syamsul Maarif.
"They are the best we could get from the total 18 candidates. Frankly speaking, there's nothing special about them; they're just mediocre," chairman of the House's Commission III overseeing legal affairs, Trimedya Panjaitan, said here Thursday.
"The candidates failed to show their reformative sides. They gave normative and common answers to our questions on how to reform the Supreme Court."
Trimedya said the only satisfying part of the selection was that the House had been relatively successful in initiating a cameral-based system with Syamsul, who has expertise in business law, winning votes from commission members.
"Syamsul is expected to contribute something new to the Supreme Court with his expertise. The Supreme Court has never had a justice with a business law background before," he said.
Syamsul gained support from 38 of the 48 lawmakers.
"I regret that the only candidate from the state administrative court didn't win enough votes. I also regret that the Judicial Commission didn't offer us any candidates from the religious court, when we need justices from different backgrounds to be able to handle all legal cases," Trimedya said.
Lawmaker Nursyahbani Katjasungkana of the National Awakening Party (PKB) said the Supreme Court needed justices from a variety of backgrounds so it could adjust to contemporary issues.
"In the past, we categorized cases under criminal and civic laws. Today, our society has become more complicated with more specific issues like women, children, corruption and business competition," she said.
She also praised Syamsul, whom she said could bring new spirit to the Supreme Court.
"I think he has the integrity to avoid receiving bribes," Nursyahbani said, adding Syamsul was "young" enough to make him stay longer at the court.
At the age of 51, Syamsul is the youngest justice.
Justice Andi said he was committed to upholding transparency for the public's sake.
"The public deserves transparency in getting access to the information that belongs to them," he said.
"I will also initiate an effort to restrict justices from having any meetings with anyone involved in cases they're handling. This is to prevent bribery."
