Report Three Judges To KY, Commission III Of The DPR Calls Tom Lembong Has The Right To Report

Former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong is a defendant in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade for the 2015'2016 period. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Hasbiallah Ilyas, responded to the move by former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong to report the three judges who sentenced him to the Judicial Commission (KY). Hasbi stated that Tom Lembong had the right to file the report.

As citizens, according to Hasbi, Tom has the freedom to seek justice through a legal mechanism. Meanwhile, the Judicial Commission, said Hasbi, has the authority to examine alleged violations of the judge's ethics and behavior.

"We respect Pak Tom Lembong's steps. As a citizen, he has the right to report to the Judicial Commission," Hasbi told reporters, Tuesday, August 12.

"However, of course, the report must be accompanied by strong evidence so that it can be followed up according to the procedure," he continued.

Hasbi hopes that all parties respect the applicable legal process, including providing space for KY to work independently. He also reminded that criticism or reports against law enforcement officials should be carried out constructively and in accordance with applicable regulations, in order to maintain public trust in the justice system.

"KY has a mandate to maintain the honor, dignity, and behavior of judges. So we give KY space to work, while still upholding the principle of presumption of innocence," said the PKB legislator for the Jakarta electoral district.

Previously, Tom Lembong visited the Judicial Commission (KY) on Monday, August 11, to answer KY's invitation regarding reports of alleged violations of the code of ethics and code of conduct of judges (KEPPH).

He reported three judges in the sugar import case to KY. Namely, Dennie Arsan Fatrika as chairman of the panel of judges and two members of the panel of judges, Purwanto S Abdullah and Alfis Setyawan.

Tom Lembong stated that his reporting efforts were to encourage changes in the legal sector. He wants to take advantage of the momentum of forgiveness he received to make legal improvements in Indonesia.

He emphasized that the report was not with destructive intentions, but constructive, namely the good of the law. Tom Lembong also has no intention of imposing a judge's career or damaging the image of a judge in Indonesia.

"We convey that our goal in submitting reports from judges to the Judicial Commission is 100 percent our motivation is constructive. There is no 0.1 percent destructive intent," said Tom Lembong.