President Jokowi Reminds Civil Judge Candidates to Uphold Honesty, Integrity

President Jokowi has a casual talk with judge candidates after he delivered remarks at the Debriefing of Civil Judge Candidates, in Megamendung, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (21/2)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on Civil Judge Candidates to uphold honesty and integrity during their tenure as judge and to be a good example and a role model for other professions.

“The Indonesian people long for just, professional judges with integrity and dignity, and can bring a sense of justice,” President Jokowi said during the Debriefing of Civil Judge Candidates of the Supreme Court, at the Supreme Court’s Center for Education Research and Development and Legal Training in Megamendung, Bogor, West Java, Wednesday (21/2).

The President asserted that legal certainty is the key to democratic and economic developments to create a favorable investment climate and can also improve public trust and international trust. In addition, the President added, legal system, process, and practice as well as courts serve as fundamental pillars to develop the foundation of the nation’s progress.

President Jokowi also cited the examples of countries that have become weak or become failed states because they cannot provide a credible law.

“Do not let, once again, do not let law weaken in our country. Law should remain strong to provide justice, and law should create a strong foundation for Indonesia’s giant leap of progress,” the President firmly said.

President Jokowi also believes that a strong law will be a strong foundation to improve people’s prosperity, and bring social justice for all Indonesians. Therefore, the President emphasized that law must not be a trading commodity since it will undermine public and international trusts to state institutions, as well as undermine public trust to institutions that should hold the mandate to uphold justice.

However, President Jokowi is confident that the Supreme Court and judicial bodies within its jurisdiction will always be institutions with dignities and can be trusted by the people. Yet, it can be realized when the judge candidates become judges with dignity, a sense of justice, and honesty, the President said.

“Thus, I remind you to uphold honesty and integrity during your tenure as judge. Be a good example and a role model for other professions,” the President added.

In the meantime, Chief Justice of Supreme Court Prof. Dr. Hatta Ali, S.H., M.H. said the Supreme Court has not recruited new judges since 2011 and in 2017, the Government recruited 1,684 new judges.

“This is the Government’s attention to respond to the workload mandated to the Supreme Court, particularly in providing services on dispute resolution in a timely manner. Alhamdulillah, the Government has granted our request (to recruit new judges),” Hatta said. (BPMI Setpres/ES) (RAS/MUR/EP/Naster)