The Attorney General's Office Finds IDR 5.5 Billion In Kolong Kasur Hakim, DPR: A Mirror Of Buram In The Face Of Indonesian Justice

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Abdullah responded to the findings of cash amounting to Rp5.5 billion under a mattress belonging to judge Ali Muhtarom in Jepara, Central Java. The money was found by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) while searching Ali's house in connection with the case of a release in the case of the provision of a crude palm oil (CPO) export facility or raw material for cooking oil.

Abdullah assessed that the discovery of cash in the form of 3,600 US$100 banknotes under judge Ali's mattress has shaken public confidence in the integrity of judicial institutions in Indonesia. Ali himself has been named a suspect in bribery and is said to have received around Rp5 billion in cash.

"This case not only highlights individual behavior, but also reveals systemic weaknesses in supervision and law enforcement in the judiciary. This is a blurred mirror of the face of Indonesian justice," Abdullah said, Friday, April 25. It is known that the AGO confiscated Rp5.5 billion in cash during a search of Ali's house in Jepara area, Central Java, last Sunday, April 13. The money consists of 36 USD 100 or US dollar denominations.

It was also reported that Ali Muhtarom, who previously served as a judge at the Central Jakarta District Court, had a total assets of IDR 1.3 billion. Ali is one of the eight suspects in the bribery scandal against a corporate defendant in the case of corruption in the export of cooking oil raw materials.

Based on information, Ali is said to have received bribes with the Head of the South Jakarta District Court Muhammad Arif Nuryanta (MAN), who at that time served as Deputy Chair of the Central Jakarta District Court. Arif had already been named a suspect and detained by the prosecutor.

Abdullah also considered that the amount of cash found at Ali's residence would certainly raise serious questions about the transparency and accountability of public officials. Because the thousands of dollars, according to him, far exceed the reported wealth.

"Of course this case reflects the ethical and moral crisis among law enforcers," he said.

In addition, Abdullah assessed that this case would also definitely reduce people's confidence in the judiciary.

"When a judge who should be the guardian of justice is involved in corrupt practices, then public trust in the legal system will collapse," Abdullah said.

With this case, Abdullah assessed that thorough reform was needed in the judge's recruitment and supervision system, as well as a massive evaluation within the Indonesian judiciary.

"Including strict selection, ethical training, and sustainable supervision, it must be a priority to prevent a repeat of similar cases," said the legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.

Although the Supreme Court (MA) has taken steps by temporarily dismissing Ali Muhtarom and forming a special task force to investigate this case further, Abdullah said that the Supreme Court's actions must be followed by other concrete steps.

"Such as strengthening the government's wealth reporting system and increasing transparency in the judicial process," Abdullah explained.

This member of the House of Representatives who sits on the Legal Commission also requested that the bribery case be used as a momentum for civil society and the media to continue to monitor and demand accountability from the judiciary. Only with pressure and active participation from the public, Abdullah said, the true trial will be realized.

"As a state of law, Indonesia must ensure that the law is enforced indiscriminately," he said.

"And this case is a strong warning that without integrity in a judiciary, justice will only be an illusion," Abdullah concluded.