Family affairs go to Supreme Court hearing

A disciplinary hearing to examine an alleged criminal offense involving a judge at the Supreme Court on Tuesday turned into a probe into a family feud.  

Endratmo Ramajai, a Serui district court judge in Papua, was facing the music after his former wife, Dewi Parasinta, filed a report against him for alleged extortion and deception.

The judge was proved to have received Rp 84.5 million (US$9,000) from Dewi to cover 66 round trips by air from Papua to his hometown Makassar prior to their marriage. While Endratmo claimed the financial assistance was a gift, Dewi said she was forced to give the money.

“Dewi covered the airfares to enable me to visit her and my parents and family members,” Endratmo said in his defense.

The marriage only lasted one week, with Endratmo saying it was because it was arranged by his and Dewi’s parents. Dewi, on the other hand, blamed Endratmo’s love affairs with another woman for their brief marriage.

Disciplinary council member M.Tharir Saimima, who is a judicial commission member, said the money was classified as a gratuity and Endratmo should have reported the gift.