Constitutional Court justice resigns

Constitutional Court justice Arsyad Sanusi on Friday announced his resignation following an ethics investigation implicating his family members who were allegedly involved in a bribe paid to fix the outcome in an election case dispute in 2008.

“Today, I declare my resignation as my moral responsibility to maintain the dignity of justices and the integrity of the Constitutional Court,” Arsyad said Friday.

Earlier, at the same press conference, Constitutional Court honor council chief justice Haryono announced the council’s verdict on allegations Arsyad and his family had been involved in bribery in exchange for a favorable ruling for former South Bengkulu regent Dirwan Mahmud in an election dispute hearing Arsyad had presided over.

“We found no evidence of Arsyad’s involvement in this case. However, we found that he violated justice’s ethics because he failed to ensure that his family members, and employee, did not to interact with any parties related to a complaint in a hearing,” Haryono said.

He was referring to Nesyawati, Arsyad’s daughter, and Zaimar, his brother-in-law, as well as a substitute clerk, Makhfud.

Makhfud is believed to have received Rp 58 million in a bribe from Dirwan in exchange for a favorable ruling in a challenge to his victory in 2008.

The team found that Nesyawati and Zaimar met Dirwan several times.

“While Arsyad knew nothing about the meeting, he must take responsibility for his family and employee. So, we impose sanctions,” Haryono said.

Arsyad said on Friday that he regarded such ethical breaches as far more serious than criminal violations. “Therefore, I resign.”