Case Mafia In Court Kian Marak, MA Sued For Strict Action

JAKARTA - Criminal Law expert at Bina Nusantara University (Binus), Ahmad Sofian, highlighted the rampant practice of case brokers that tarnished the Indonesian judiciary.

The corruption case that dragged the Secretary of the Supreme Court, Nurhadi, and the bribery of Ronald Tannur's free verdict involving former MA official Zarof Ricar, further worsened the image of the judiciary in the eyes of the public.

According to Ahmad Sofian, the Supreme Court (MA) as the highest legal institution must immediately improve in order to restore the dignity of the court.

"Our court conditions are very critical. A firm figure of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is needed, diligently conducts inspections to the regions, and evaluates judges with a bad reputation due to involvement in bribery and gratification," said Ahmad Sofian in his statement Monday, February 3.

Sofian emphasized that corrupt practices in court had taken place massively. Therefore, efforts to clean up in the judicial sector are not an easy task.

"This is not a light job because it must eradicate the 'ratigners' who roam in the court building," he said.

In order to optimize judicial reforms, Sofian emphasized that planting integrity is the main factor so that courts are clear of the case mafia.

"Those who can clean up our judiciary are the judges themselves. Therefore, the Supreme Court as the highest bulwark of the law must be filled by people who have a clean track record," he said.

In addition, the commitment to judicial reform must be in line with the agenda of the government, DPR, and the Judicial Commission (KY) which have the authority to select prospective judges.

"If KY, MA, and DPR-RI make the wrong choice of Supreme Court justices, then our judicial system improvement efforts will certainly fail," he said.

In the midst of the rampant cases of the judicial mafia, there were allegations of dirty practices in resolving cases in the Supreme Court. Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Islamic Brotherhood (PITI), Ipong Hembing Putra, revealed that there was a court decision that won another party in the PITI brand dispute, even though his party had won at the Central Jakarta Commercial Court in 2023.

"I express my objection. Without any trial, without my presence, a decision suddenly appeared. In fact, in this case I have been won by the Central Jakarta Commercial Court on August 24, 2023," said Ipong to reporters at the Supreme Court Building, Jakarta, Monday, January 6, 2025.

Ipong also revealed that at the cassation level, the Supreme Court still won his side. However, suddenly new decisions appeared without trial and his presence.

"Then, the plaintiff filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, and I was still won. Thus, I have won twice. But suddenly, without trial and without my presence, a surprising verdict appeared," he explained.

Ipong also suspected that there was a dirty game in the PITI brand dispute. This allegation further strengthens concerns that the case mafia is still firmly rooted within the Indonesian judiciary. Therefore, judicial system reform is an urgent agenda that cannot be postponed any longer.