Artidjo Alkostar's Legal Warrior: The Story Of The Supreme Court Justice Who Wants The Death Penalty Of Corruptors

JAKARTA - Artidjo Alkostar is known as a warrior of Indonesian law. He became the leading judge condemning the rampant corruption practices in Indonesia. Whoever harms the country will not be released. Corruptors are considered not only to steal state money, but also to the miserable people.

Artidjo was tough on corruptors. There is no fear in his life dictionary. Corruptors think twice when dealing with Artidjo in the follow-up legal process. Artidjo even really wanted corruptors to be sentenced to death.

No one doubts that corruption is rampant in the New Order (Orba) era. Corruption made the lives of the Indonesian people fall at its lowest point. The reforms were echoing. All Indonesian people moved to overthrow the New Order and succeeded in 1998.

The Indonesian people are starting to dream that Indonesia will be better. Corruption can be reduced. Malang cannot be rejected. That dream did not happen. Corruption is even more widespread. Existing law enforcement officers cannot be fully trusted.

The Indonesian people are again faced with the difficult reality of eradicating corruption. However, a point of hope appeared in the figure of Artidjo Alkostar. The legal figure appeared to be the front figure in punishing corruptors.

The work began when he became the supreme judge at the Supreme Court (MA) in 2000. He was placed in a criminal chamber. Artidjo then likes to target their cases that harm the state, from money laundering cases to corruption.

Artidjo fears nothing. Fear is not in the dictionary of his life. This condition made Artidjo try many corruptors. Artidjo immediately became an example of a judge whose integrity could not be bought. No corruptor whose guts did not meet Artidjo.

They will think twice about undergoing further legal action, from cassation or review. They are afraid to meet Artidjo who tend to increase the punishment of corruptors. Corrupt Democratic Party cadres are witnesses, from Angelina Sondakh to Anas Urbaningrum.

The case that catapulted Artidjo's figure in the eyes of the public was his decision on former Democratic Party leader, Angelina Sondakh. After receiving a light sentence from the corruption court in the form of only 4.5 years in prison, plus a fine of 25 thousand US dollars. In January 2013, the decision of Supreme Court Justice Artidjo in further legal proceedings increased his sentence to 12 years and Angelina Sondakh had to return 3.42 million U.S. funds that were misappropriated.

"Then, in a corruption case involving the President of PKS, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq (LHI), the KPK added two years to the 18 years in prison that LHI received in addition to revoking its political rights to hold public office and having to pay a fine of Rp1 billion. Meanwhile, regarding the case of former Chairman of the Democratic Party Anas Urbaningrum, the Supreme Court added eight years in prison for the 14 years he received," said Shalu Juwono in his book Against Corruption (2018).

Artidjo often views corruptors as not need to be pitied. Corruption by corruptors actually makes many people suffer. Artidjo showed this view by encouraging the narrative of the death penalty for corruptors.

Artidjo's wishes did bring a stir. Because, no judge has the courage to openly encourage the desire for the death penalty for corruptors. Many of them think the death penalty will not solve the problem. Violating human rights too. Corruptors are more afraid of being impoverished, than dying.

Artidjo also considers the death penalty the most appropriate test. The deterrent effect makes other prospective corruptors think again when they want corruption. Artidjo also realized that his wish was difficult to materialize.

He saw how the maker of the Law did not dare to be firm regarding corruptors in the death penalty. It is different from China which clearly emphasizes that corruptors will be sentenced to death if they have harmed a certain number of countries.

Artidjo continues to push the death penalty for corruptors during his lifetime. He views that no corruptor deserves to be released or his sentence reduced. He also views that whoever judges who free corruptors will certainly not sleep well.

In the end, the death penalty for corruptors could never be realized until this writing was published. Never mind the death penalty, the Law on the poor of corruptors has not dared to be discussed by the people's representatives.

In Indonesia, legal construction - in the article of corruption - is not right and half-hearted. This is a fear of officials or representatives of the people. This article is associated with other factors outside the law. For example, natural disasters and a corruptor repeat their actions. That's rare. Thus, the death penalty will not be achieved, because the legal construction is wrong.

"In China, the limit is clear. For example, the death penalty for those who commit corruption is Rp. 50 billion or what. If the construction is clear, the death penalty can be achieved. I really want to sentence corruptors to die. Should it be (the law is amended) like that. But whether we dare or not we amend? The legislator is afraid that one day he will be hit, even if he wants to secure himself," said Artidjo as quoted by LR Baskoro and his friends in Tempo magazine entitledArtidjo Alkostar: I Want Once The Death Law of Corruptors (2013).