A Good Opportunity

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society Boyamin Saiman (right), July 24, 2020, in Jakarta, showing a photo to journalists showing a meeting of elements at the Attorney General\'s Office with fugitive Joko Soegiarto Tjandra, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The arrest of prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari could serve as a catalyst for President Joko “ Jokowi” Widodo to fight the judicial “mafia” in the country.

President Jokowi does not carry burdens from the past. The President has enormous social and political support to cleanse the world of justice from the practice of “buying and selling cases”. If there is will, the scandal involving Joko Tjandra is an opportunity to fight the judicial mafia. The fight against corrupt practices in the judiciary is line with the mental revolution launched by President Jokowi in the first term of his administration.

Also read : Waiting for Joko Tjandra Speak Openly

The issue of the judicial mafia is not new in the world of justice. The cynical acronym of the Criminal Code (KUHP) as “Kasih Uang Hapus Perkara” (giving money to remove cases) indicates that the practice is deeply embedded in our legal system. Today, the facts of the despicable behavior are so bare. Members of three elements of law enforcement, police, a prosecutor and attorney, have been arrested. As reported, Pinangki was allegedly promised to receive US$10 million or around Rp 145 billion to solve the Joko Tjandra’s legal case. Pinangki is believed to have received $500,000. Pinangki and Joko’s lawyer Anita Kolopaking met fugitive Joko Tjandra in Kuala Lumpur.

The facts about the practice of the judicial mafia are so obvious. Such a practice undermines the Indonesian legal system. Justice has become a traded commodity. If this behavior is tolerated, the Indonesian legal system will be damaged. In fact, the Constitution emphasizes that Indonesia is governed by law. However it is meaningless if law enforcement can be bought?

Also read: Gen. Idham’s Swift Action

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Joko Tjandra, the fugitive convicted in the Bank Bali graft case, is escorted to a detention car after arriving at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, Thursday (30/7/2020). The National Police arrested Djoko Tjandra in Malaysia. Head of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo directly led the team to fetch Djoko, who is a defendant in the Rp 904 billion Bank Bali graft case handled by the Attorney General’s Office.

What we really need is political will.

This nation has been fighting the judicial mafia for so long. During the New Order Era, President Soeharto formed Order Operation led by Admiral Sudomo to clean up the judicial mafia associated with the alleged bribery in the Budiaji corruption trial in Balikpapan.

At that time, the executive board of the Association of Indonesian Advocates (Peradin) temporarily suspended lawyer Sunarto Soerodibroto (Kompas, 17 March 1979). But these issues have emerged over and over again.

Also read : Totality in Catching Fugitives

We appreciate the steps taken by the National Police to arrest Brig. Gen. Prasetijo Utomo and Joko’s lawyer Anita Kolopaking and the initiative of Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to arrest Pinangki. For the two institutions, this is the right time to clean house. The question is, is this possible? Maybe, they are single players.

If President Jokowi wants, an integrated team can be formed under Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD. Mahfud should have the courage to do that. All who are involved have to step aside. It would be more helpful for this nation if Prasetijo, Anita, and Pinangki were willing to disclose what has actually transpired. What we really need is political will. The public is looking forward to it.