Jokowi Regarding Ferdy Sambo's Verdict: Court's Territory, Government Does Not Interfere

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the decision or verdict against Ferdy Sambo and other convicts in the premeditated murder case of Richard Eliezer alias Bharada E is within the jurisdiction of the courts.

"That is the jurisdiction of the judiciary. It is the jurisdiction of the courts. We (the government) cannot interfere," the president told reporters after reviewing the 2023 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) exhibition at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, Thursday, February 16, confiscated by Antara.

Jokowi considers consideration of facts, evidence, and the testimony of witnesses to be important as a reference in the judge's verdict, but the government cannot comment on this matter.

The President also said that the decision that had been determined by the panel of judges must be respected.

Previously, Deputy President Ma'ruf Amin also said that the decision or verdict against Ferdy Sambo was the right of the court and the government was not allowed to intervene in any form.

"I think the problem with Sambo's decision is that it is indeed the court's right. The government cannot intervene. So that is the full right of the court," said the Vice President in a press statement in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Wednesday, as seen in the video footage seen in Jakarta.

The Vice President said he was observing the public's reaction to the death sentence against Ferdy Sambo. According to the Vice President, the community considers the judge's decision against Ferdy Sambo to be fair.

"It's just that I see from the reaction of the community that the community considers it fairer, not (by) the government, yes, the government must be impartial, abstain, yes, it won't give any judgment," explained the Vice President.