CHAIRMAN of the Judicial Commission (KY) Amzulian Rifai held a meeting with Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin at the Indonesian Attorney General’s Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11). The meeting took place in the middle of the investigation into a case of alleged bribery and/or gratification which involved three judges at the Surabaya District Court (PN) as suspects in connection with the murder case committed by Ronald Tannur.
After meeting Burhanuddin, Amzulian emphasized that his party’s authority could only investigate ethical violations by members of the judiciary. During this meeting, he said that often investigations carried out by KY found criminal elements. However, Amzulian admitted that his party could not investigate this matter.
“Sometimes during an ethical examination, there are actually things that we believe are criminal in nature. But, when we feel that they are criminal, our authority does not extend to that,” he explained.
Therefore, the meeting with the Attorney General is a moment for the KY to mitigate if it finds suspected criminal acts when examining individual judges. According to Amzulian, Burhanuddin has expressed his willingness to follow up on the results of the KY examination at a later date.
“We will convey follow-up if the results of the examination are criminal. The Attorney General is pleased to follow up later if there are criminal matters,” said Amzulian.
It is known that JAM-Pidsus investigators have named six people as suspects in cases of alleged bribery and/or gratification related to case management, including three Surabaya District Court judges, namely Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul, and Heru Hanindyo.
The other three suspects are former Head of the Legal and Judicial Training Agency of the Supreme Court (MA) Zarof Ricar, Ronald’s lawyer named Lisa Rachmat, and Meirizka Widjaja as Ronald’s mother.
Erintuah, Mangapul, and Heru handed down a verdict of acquittal against Ronald at the first instance court. Meanwhile, at the cassation hearing, Ronald’s case was tried by Supreme Court justices Soesilo, Ainal Mardhiah and Sutarjo.
Separately, Burhanuddin emphasized that his party would follow up on the report submitted by KY. If the results of the KY’s examination of individual judges are deemed accurate, investigators, continued the Attorney General, will investigate them.
He also said that he would not feel uncomfortable if he investigated a case involving a supreme judge at the Supreme Court. (P-5)
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How does the Judicial Commission (KY) plan to ensure accountability and prevent judicial misconduct from going unpunished when their investigations uncover criminal activity?
## Interview with Amzulian Rifai: A Balancing Act Between Ethical Boundaries
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Amzulian Rifai, Chairman of the Judicial Commission (KY) in Indonesia. Mr. Rifai, thank you for being here.
**Amzulian Rifai:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** You recently met with Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin. Could you tell us about the purpose of this meeting and what was discussed?
**Amzulian Rifai:** Absolutely. The meeting was primarily to discuss collaboration between the KY and the Attorney General’s office, especially in cases where our investigations into ethical violations by judges uncover potential criminal acts.
**Interviewer:** What kind of challenges arise when KY investigations uncover criminal elements?
**Amzulian Rifai:** As the KY, our mandate is to maintain the ethical standards within the judiciary. Our authority is specifically focused on investigating ethical violations. While our inquiries often reveal actions that appear criminal in nature, we lack the legal authority to prosecute these crimes.
**Interviewer:** So, how do you address this jurisdictional overlap?
**Amzulian Rifai:** That’s precisely the reason for our meeting with the Attorney General. We want to ensure a smooth handover of cases when we encounter evidence suggesting criminal activity. We believe that close cooperation ensures accountability and prevents judicial misconduct from going unpunished.
**Interviewer:** Do you see this as a regular course of action moving forward?
**Amzulian Rifai:** Absolutely. Open communication and collaboration between the KY and the Attorney General’s office are essential to maintain public trust in the justice system. We need to work together to ensure that both ethical lapses and criminal activities are effectively addressed.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for shedding light on this important issue, Mr. Rifai.
**Amzulian Rifai:** You’re welcome. I believe that transparency and cooperation are key to upholding the integrity of our judiciary.
