Patrialis Akbar Controversy: MK Judges from Political Parties Involved in Corruption Cases

JAKARTA - There is no doubt that political parties exist as a shortcut to become state officials. This view is supported by many parties. Take the example of Patrialis Akbar. The politician of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has a brilliant career.

He was once the Minister of Law and Human Rights (HAM). His performance was mediocre, even tends to be controversial. However, he was appointed as a Constitutional Justice at the Constitutional Court (MK). Instead of actively protecting and defending the constitution, Patrialis actually committed corruption.

The effort to conquer the Indonesian political world is not easy. Moreover, he has no relationship with big political figures and parties. Most people have to fight hard to be able to continue to exist. Others try to change political vehicles until they find the right party.

The narrative is considered important. All because political parties in Indonesia have an important role in bringing someone to achieve high political positions. The narrative is supported by Patrialis Akbar. His track record as a PAN politician is brilliant.

His contribution to PAN made Patrialis able to taste a career as a public representative. Later, Patrialis entered the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) government radar for the second period. PAN got a ministerial seat quota. The Minister of Law and Human Rights quota was then given to Patrialis.

The 2009-2011 era Minister of Law and Human Rights was confident that he could carry out his duties well. Moreover, he was seen as having long been involved in the legal world. Far from the fire. Patrialis' presence as a minister has actually created a lot of controversy and received a red report.

He is seen as a good minister by corruptors. This condition is because many of the corruptors from Artalyta Suryani to Aulia Pohan were even given a major remission. Not to mention that at that time there were 15 inmates of the Cipinang Correctional Institution who escaped.

This condition then made him lose his position as a minister. He was hurriedly replaced by Amir Syamsuddin. However, Patrialis still easily returned to a new position. He wanted to taste the career as a Constitutional Justice at the Constitutional Court in 2013.

The move was smooth. He did not have to go through the selection process because he was directly chosen by the president. Even though this step was criticized by many parties because his party and independence were questioned. Patrialis also tried to convince the public that he did not bring PAN's interests and had resigned.

"If I am entrusted by the President to become a constitutional judge, of course, on the basis of competence. I have been a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives for two periods and during that period I also acted as the DPR RI legal representative who handled hundreds of cases in the Constitutional Court. I was also directly involved in the drafting of the Constitutional Court Law. I have also resigned from PAN since 2011, so now as a professional," said Patrialis as quoted by the ANTARA website, July 30, 2013.

Patrialis tried to carry out his duties well. He wants to prove that being present at the Constitutional Court can bring about many changes. In fact, this desire never materialized. Patrialis was actually caught in the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on January 25, 2017.

He was proven to have committed corruption by accepting a deposit of more than Rp2 billion for his capacity as a Constitutional Justice. The bribe was given to facilitate the steps of testing the substance of Law Number 41 of 2014 concerning Livestock and Animal Health.

Those who bribe want Patrialis to refuse to remove the rules for importing meat based on zones, not based on countries. As a result, this step makes importers able to bring in beef from countries that are not completely free from foot and mouth disease.

The trial process of Patrialis will take place immediately. At its peak, the Jakarta Corruption Court's Panel of Judges revealed that Patrialis was found guilty on September 4, 2017. Patrialis was then sentenced to eight years in prison and a fine of Rp. 300 million.

Patrialis was also charged with an additional penalty of substitute money. He was ordered to pay a substitute money of US $10,000 and Rp4,043,000. The presence of the case of Patrialis Akbar was a blemish that tarnished the face of the Constitutional Court.

"Judging, stating that the defendant has been proven to be legally and convincingly guilty of corruption together and continuing," said the Head of the Panel of Judges, Nawawi Pamulango, as quoted by the kompas.com page, September 4, 2017.