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Constitutional Court chief justice won’t step down amid graft scandal
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Constitutional Court judges read out a verdict in the body's courtroom in Jakarta on Jan. 11. (The Jakarta Post/Safrin La Batu)
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onstitutional Court chief Arief Hidayat has asserted that he will continue to lead the influential court amid pressure from the public, particularly following the arrest of one of its justices over alleged graft.
The court was dealt a huge blow after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested justice Patrialis Akbar in a sting operation on Wednesday over alleged bribery in connection with a judicial review currently being carried out at the court.
“I have consulted with experts and other justices about whether I need to step down. However, they said that I must continue and that nobody should quit because we have not committed any wrongdoing,” he told a press briefing at his office on Friday evening.
He added that no matter who the chief was, corruption within the court could still happen because it depended on the integrity and morals of each justice.
(Read also: Court dismisses justice, establishes disciplinary council following bribery case)
“Even with external supervision, such things can still happen,” he said, responding to a suggestion that the court might need to be supervised by Judicial Commission.
“I have frequently asked the KPK to wiretap our phones and I remind my fellow justices in every meeting that we are being watched,” he added. (jun)
