T

he life sentence handed down to former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar after he was found guilty of accepting bribes and of money laundering marks a milestone in the nation'€™s fight against corruption. The Jakarta Corruption Court has carved out a piece of history that gives a boost to our quest for a corruption-free society.

Never before has a graft suspect received such a stiff sentence, which should force potential fraudsters to think twice before committing graft.

More importantly, Akil'€™s conviction for accepting Rp 57 billion (US$4.8 million) in bribes from a number of regional heads has sent a clear message to candidates to avoid bribing Constitutional Court judges as an easy and cheap way to win public posts.

The public can easily figure out how the so-called judiciary mafia works and nullifies the democratic process of elections. In the case of Akil, the power of money wreaked havoc with regional elections, and had he been acquitted, perhaps corrupt Constitutional Court judges could have decided the next president of Indonesia.

Considering that the court'€™s verdict is final and binding, any party, including big corporations, could just pay judges of Akil's caliber for huge profits they could reap from court verdicts issued in their favor. Therefore, the maximum sentence for Akil finds its relevance.

It would not be misguided to conclude that greed was the main motive behind Akil'€™s corrupt ways. As a public official who, according to Constitutional Court secretary-general Janedjri Gaffar, made Rp 12 billion a year, Akil should have had no motive to accept bribes.

The Jakarta Corruption Court found Akil guilty of accepting bribes from then Gunung Mas regent Hambit Bintih, then Lebak deputy regent Amir Hamzah, Palembang Mayor Romi Herton, Empat Lawang Regent Budi Antoni Aljufri, Buton Regent Samsu Umar Abdul Samiun, South Lampung Regent Rycko Menoza, Morotai Regent Rusli Sibua, Central Tapanuli Regent Raja Bonaran Situmeang and suspended Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah.

KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto said Akil'€™s conviction would justify the commission'€™s move against the bribe payers. Most of them remain in power and at large, but for sure they will suffer a sleeping disorder because, sooner or later, the KPK will catch up with them.

The nation'€™s commitment to combating graft related to the Akil case will be put to test when the Jakarta High Court and the Supreme Court hear an appeal filed by the graft convict. Another test will loom when Akil asks for presidential clemency.

Nevertheless, the fact that the KPK managed to convince the Corruption Court to sentence a graft suspect to life in prison will serve as an effective deterrent.

The life sentence is a real achievement for the KPK that the public at home and abroad should acknowledge. The commission does not need to sing its own praises as election candidates do during campaigning.

If only the KPK were a political party, it would win both the legislative and the presidential election by a landslide, thanks to its track record that has helped it gain public trust. Proof of global recognition can be seen in the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award presented to the KPK last year in Manila, an award given annually for '€œtransformative leadership in Asia'€.

It is relieving, therefore, to see both presidential candidates contesting the July 9 election display commitment to empowering the KPK. The two candidates have clearly distanced themselves from lawmakers who have openly displayed resentment toward the anti-graft body and sought its dissolution.

Whoever is elected the president will have to withstand any political moves initiated by House politicians to undermine the KPK, such as in their push for the removal of its extraordinary powers.

The two presidential candidates declared their wealth this week in a show of support for transparency and the anti-corruption drive. The General Elections Commission (KPU) revealed on Wednesday that the wealth of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto totaled Rp 1.67 trillion and $7.5 million, eclipsing that of his rival Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo'€™s Rp 29.89 billion.

Both vice-presidential candidates are also richer than Jokowi, a furniture businessman-turned politician. Jokowi'€™s running mate Jusuf Kalla and Prabowo'€™s partner Hatta Rajasa reported Rp 30.23 billion and Rp 465.61 billion in total wealth, respectively.

As the two pairs head for judgment day next week, the Constitutional Court on Thursday declared the presidential election will be conducted in one round only, since there are only two tickets contesting it.

The court granted a judicial review motion filed against the Presidential Election Law, which says the winning presidential ticket must gain more than 50 percent of the total vote and at least 20 percent of the vote in at least a half of Indonesia'€™s provinces to avoid a runoff.

The complicated requirement, according to the plaintiffs, the Forum for Constitutional Lawyers and the Election and Democracy Watchdog (Perludem), could force a runoff despite the fact that there are only two tickets in the race.

Everybody should welcome the legal certainty and enter the campaign'€™s three-day cooling off period with relief.

'€” Dwi Atmanta