RDPU Case of ABK Carrying 2 Tons of Opium, Commission III of the DPR Emphasizes Not Interfering with the Court

JAKARTA - Commission III of the DPR held a public hearing (RDPU) with the family of ABK Batam, Fandi Ramadhan and his lawyer, Hotman Paris, regarding the case of smuggling 2 tons of methamphetamine. In this case, Fandi is charged with the death penalty.

Opening the meeting, the Chairman of Commission III of the DPR, Habiburokhman, emphasized that his party did not intervene technically in matters that were being resolved by law enforcement officials (APH), but carried out oversight functions so that the law that was being implemented could be fair.

"In carrying out the supervisory duties mandated by Article 20A paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, Commission III of the DPR RI not only assesses the implementation of policies in general, but also responds to cases that touch on the sense of justice of the community," said Habiburokhman as the head of the meeting at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, February 26.

"Commission III clearly does not intervene technically in matters that are being resolved by law enforcement officials. However, it is our obligation to ensure that our partners, law enforcement officials, carry out their duties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," he continued.

In particular, in this meeting, Commission III of the DPR asked the Deputy Attorney General for Supervision to reprimand the Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Arfian at the Batam District Court yesterday who implicitly but very bluntly stated that the public and the DPR intervened in the case of the death penalty against Fandi Ramadan.

"It needs to be emphasized that not only the DPR as the lawmaker and supervisor of law enforcement officers can give their position to the court. The public can also convey their position to the court, including in the form of amicus curiae or court friends," said Habiburokhman.

"This is the implementation of what is regulated in Article 5 paragraph 1 of Law Number 48 of 2009 concerning the Judiciary which regulates that judges are obliged to cultivate a sense of justice in the community, and what, in addition to assessing the facts of the trial," he added.

The Gerindra legislator appreciated the Attorney General, ST Burhanuddin and the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo who were very responsive to the attitude of Commission III of the DPR.

"We can see in the last few cases such as the case of sister Tri Wulandari, an honorary teacher from Muaro Jambi who was stopped by the Prosecutor's Office and the Police. The case of Hogi Minaya, a jambret pursuer in Sleman whose case was stopped by the Prosecutor's Office and the Police. The case of Muhammad Miftahul Huda, an honorary teacher who was said to have double positions in Probolinggo whose investigation was stopped by the Prosecutor's Office, and finally the case of a motorcycle taxi driver in Pandeglang, Banten, whose investigation was stopped by the Police," said Habiburokhman.

For the case of Fandi Ramadan, said Habiburokhman, Commission III of the DPR again reminded that the death penalty is an alternative punishment as a last resort that should be applied very selectively as stipulated in the Criminal Code.

"We reiterate that we do not intervene in the court, but we must be accountable to the people of the allocation of state funds that we approve for the Supreme Court and the ranks below it must bring about improvements in performance," he said.

Some time ago, added Habiburokhman, Commission III also proposed a salary increase for career and ad hoc judges which could reach 280 percent.

Currently, the legal commission is discussing the bill on the position of judge, the essence of which is to improve the welfare of judges.

"Of course, the people really hope that these good things will go hand in hand with the increasing quality of the court," he concluded.