Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:56:11.044Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

What Makes a Good Judge? Perspectives from Indonesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2021

Simon Butt
Simon Butt*
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
*
E-mail: simon.butt@sydney.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In May 2018, Artidjo Alkostar retired from the Supreme Court of Indonesia after a judicial career spanning almost two decades. Over this period, he presided over many of Indonesia’s most prominent and controversial criminal cases and became renowned for routinely rejecting corruption appeals and increasing prison sentences. In the celebratory publications that marked his retirement, Alkostar was held up as a model judge, with senior legal figures, including Supreme Court judges, singling out his strong work ethic, integrity, simplicity of character, and firmness. Curiously absent from the list of praiseworthy attributes were pre-requisites for effective judging, including adequate legal knowledge, transparent legal reasoning and decision-making, objectivity and avoiding the perception of bias. An analysis of Alkostar’s most notorious decisions suggests that he, and the judges who served with him, did not always clearly display these pre-requisites. This article considers what this says about judging in Indonesia and what might, in practice, be the defining characteristics of a good judge there.

Keywords

Indonesiacourtscorruptioncriminal lawjudicial performance
Type
Judging and Judgment in Contemporary Asia
Information
Asian Journal of Law and Society , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , June 2021 , pp. 282 - 323
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Asian Journal of Law and Society

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alam, Rizky Noor (2018) “Artidjo Alkostar: Tidak Ada Satu Pun Penyesalan,” Media Indonesia, 3 June.Google Scholar
Alkostar, Artidjo (2000) Negara Tanpa Hukum: Catatan Pengacara Jalanan, Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.Google Scholar
Asril, Sabrina (2013) “Dipidana, Dokter Bakal Tak Mau Ambil Risiko,” Kompas.com , 27 November.Google Scholar
Baskoro, L.H., & Kustiani, Rini (2009) “Antasari’s Inquisition: Weak Charges and a Risky Article,” Tempo English Edition, 19 October.Google Scholar
Baskoro, L.H., & Sutarto, (2010) “Antasari’s Final Round,” Tempo English Edition, 16 February.Google Scholar
Butt, Simon (2008a) Indonesian Terrorism Law and Criminal Process, University of Melbourne: ARC Federational Fellowship: Islam, Syari’ah and Governance Background Paper.Google Scholar
Butt, Simon (2008b) “Surat Sakti: The Decline of the Authority of Judicial Decisions in Indonesia,” in Lindsey, T., ed., Indonesia: Law and Society, Annandale, NSW: Federation Press, 346–62.Google Scholar
Butt, Simon (2012a) Corruption and Law in Indonesia, London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Butt, Simon (2012b) “Indonesia’s Regional Anti-Corruption Courts: Should They Be Abolished?” 2 Indonesia Law Review 147–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butt, Simon (2018) “Religious Conservatism, Islamic Criminal Law and the Judiciary in Indonesia: A Tale of Three Courts.” 50 Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law 402–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butt, Simon (2019) “Judicial Reasoning and Review in the Indonesian Supreme Court.” 6 Asian Journal of Law and Society 67–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butt, Simon (2021) “Indonesia’s Criminal Justice System on Trial: The Jessica Wongso Case.” 24 New Criminal Law Review (Forthcoming).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butt, Simon, & Lindsey, Tim (2007) “Intellectual Property, Civil Law and the Failure of Law in Indonesia: Can Criminal Enforcement of Economic Law Work in Developing Countries?,” in Lindsey, T., ed., Law Reform in Developing and Transitional States, London: Routledge, 391–412.Google Scholar
Butt, Simon, & Lindsey, Tim (2010) “Judicial Mafia: The Courts and State Illegality in Indonesia,” in Van Klinken, G. & Aspinall, E., eds., The State and Illegality in Indonesia, Leiden: KITLV Press, 189–213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butt, Simon, & Lindsey, Tim (2018) Indonesian Law, Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coconuts (2018) “Head Judge Who Rejected Ahok’s Judicial Review Used to Be FPI’s Legal Counsel, According to Rizieq,” Coconuts Jakarta, 29 March.Google Scholar
Cohen, David (2003) Intended to Fail: The Trials before the Ad Hoc Human Rights Court in Jakarta, New York: International Center for Transitional Justice.Google Scholar
Colbran, Nicola (2009) “Courage under Fire: The First Five Years of the Indonesian Judicial Commission.” 11 Australian Journal of Asian Law 273–301.Google Scholar
Farhan (2018) “Cerita Artidjo Soal Ancaman Santet Hingga Tak Punya Pengawal Pribadi,” Detik News, 14 November.Google Scholar
Fauzi, Gilang (2015) “Hamdan Zoelva: 17 Putusan Artidjo Perlu Dieksaminasi,” CNN Indonesia, 12 June.Google Scholar
Fealy, Greg (2016) “Bigger than Ahok: Explaining the 2 December Mass Rally,” Indonesia at Melbourne, 7 December.Google Scholar
Fibri, Rommy (2002) “Supreme Court: Judicial Jam,” Tempo English Edition, 23 December.Google Scholar
Fitzpatrick, Daniel (1997) “Disputes and Pluralism in Modern Indonesian Land Law.” 22 Yale Journal of International Law 171–212.Google Scholar
Forum, Keadilan (2016) “Tidak Semua Orang Memuji Artidjo,” Forum Keadilan, 1 May.Google Scholar
Fox, Liam (2018) “Indonesian Fugitive Djoko Tjandra’s PNG Citizenship Unlawful, Ombudsman Commission Finds,” ABC News Online, 12 April.Google Scholar
Hammergren, Linn A. (2014) Justice Reform and Development: Rethinking Donor Assistance to Developing and Transitional Countries, London: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Handayani, Anne L., & Aprianto, Anton (2009) “When One Equals None,” Tempo English Edition, 26 October.Google Scholar
Hawley, Samantha (2016) “A Fleeting Freedom,” Foreign Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Commission.Google Scholar
Heriani, Fitri Novia (2016a) “Ahli Forensik Sebut Efek Samping Pengawetan Mayat,” Hukumonline, 8 September.Google Scholar
Heriani, Fitri Novia (2016b) “Jaksa Beberkan Motif Jessica Lakukan Pembunuhan Berencana,” Hukumonline, 16 June.Google Scholar
Heriani, Fitri Novia (2016c) “Psikolog Nilai Janggalnya Ketenangan Jessica Saat Mirna Kejang,” Hukumonline, 15 August.Google Scholar
Heriani, Fitri Novia (2016d) “Teka Teki Bukti Dalam Sidang Pembunuhan Berencana,” Hukumonline, 31 July.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2000) “Artidjo Alkostar: MA Satu Tingkat Di Atas Primitif,” Hukumonline, 18 October.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2001) “Artidjo Kalah Voting, Joko Tjandra Bebas,” Hukumonline, 29 June.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2002) “Keempat Dakwaan Terbukti, Tommy Divonis 15 Tahun Penjara,” Hukumonline, 26 July.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2006) “Istri Munir Kecewa Majelis Kasasi Tidak Gunakan Kewenangan Judex Factie,” Hukumonline, 5 October.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2009) “MA-KY Terbitkan Kode Etik Hakim,” Hukumonline, 8 April.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2014) “Kisah Kedekatan Artidjo Alkostar Dan FPI,” Hukumonline, 5 March.Google Scholar
Hukumonline (2018) “MA Jamin Artidjo Dkk Objektif Putuskan Kasus Ahok,” Hukumonline, 16 March.Google Scholar
Huzaini, M. Dani Pratama (2018) “Artidjo Alkostar: ‘Tidak Ada Celah Untuk Negosiasi’,” Hukumonline, 5 June.Google Scholar
ICG (2001) Indonesia: Impunity versus Accountability for Gross Human Rights Violations, Jakarta: International Crisis Group.Google Scholar
Indonesia Lawyers Club (2016) “Benarkah Jessica Meracun Mirna?” TV One, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxBKSGxxrKs (accessed 3 August 2020).Google Scholar
Jakarta Post (2000) “Acting Chief Justice Installs 16 New Justices,” Jakarta Post, 27 September.Google Scholar
JIS (2015) “Free Neil Bantleman and Ferdinant Tjiong!,” Change.org , 19 July.Google Scholar
Kelley, Mark (2016) “Accused,” Foreign Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Commission.Google Scholar
Komara, Indra (2018) “Artidjo: Selama Tangani Perkara Soeharto, Kasus Lain Kecil Buat Saya,” Detik News, 25 May.Google Scholar
Lev, Daniel S. (1987) Legal Aid in Indonesia, Clayton, Victoria: Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University.Google Scholar
Lindsey, Tim (2017) “Ahok’s Defeat Bodes Ill for the Future,” Indonesia at Melbourne, 20 April.Google Scholar
Lindsey, Tim, & Crouch, Melissa (2014) “Indonesia Cause Lawyers: A House Divided.” 31 Wisconsin International Law Journal 619–44.Google Scholar
Lindsey, Tim, & Parsons, Jemma (2008) “The One That Got Away?,” Inside Indonesia, 20 December.Google Scholar
Liputan 6 (2001) “MA Mengabulkan PK Tommy Soeharto,” Liputan 6, 2 October.Google Scholar
Liputan 6 (2018) “Rahasia Artidjo Alkostar Kebal Ancaman Pembunuhan Hingga Santet,” Liputan 6, 25 May.Google Scholar
Loppies, Sukma, Sianipar, Tito, & Rahadiana, Rieka (2006) “Tommy Bebas Hari Ini,” Koran Tempo, 30 October.Google Scholar
Lubis, Todung Mulya (1993) In Search of Human Rights: Legal-Political Dilemmas of Indonesia’s New Order, 1966–1990, Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama.Google Scholar
Mahkamah Agung (2003) Blueprint for the Reform of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, Jakarta: Supreme Court of Indonesia.Google Scholar
Mahkamah Agung (2018) “Artidjo: ‘Saya Akan Pulang Kampung Memelihara Kambing’,” Mahkamah Agung, 25 May.Google Scholar
Manan, Abdul, & Kurniawan, Erwan (2016) “Faktor 55 Menit Jessica,” Tempo.co, 31 October.Google Scholar
Manan, Abdul, M. P., Itsman, Rafiq, Ahmad, & Cipta, Ayu (2017) “Clemency after a Secret Meeting,” Tempo English Edition, 14 February.Google Scholar
Marcoes, Lies (2016) “Interpreting the Qur’an: Ahok’s Blunder,” Indonesia at Melbourne, 14 November.Google Scholar
Mardatillah, Aida (2018a) “Alasan Lanjut Usia, MA ‘Pangkas’ Vonis OC Kaligis,” Hukumonline, 3 October.Google Scholar
Mardatillah, Aida (2018b) “OC Kaligis Gugat Artidjo Alkostar Rp 1 Triliun, Ini Putusannya,” Hukumonline, 12 October.Google Scholar
Marzuki, Suparman (2018) “Selamat Kembali Ke Dunia Ramal,” in Windrawan, P., ed., Alkostar: Sebuah Biografi, Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, xix–xxiii.Google Scholar
Maulidi, Agus (2017) “Problematika Hukum Implementasi Putusan Final Dan Mengikat Mahkamah Konstitusi Perspektif Negara Hukum.” 24 Hukum Ius Quia Iustum 535–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mietzner, Marcus, & Muhtadi, Burhanuddin (2018) “Explaining the 2016 Islamist Mobilisation in Indonesia: Religious Intolerance, Militant Groups and the Politics of Accommodation.” 42 Asian Studies Review 479–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Millie, Julian (1999) “The Tempo Case: Indonesia’s Press Laws, the Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara and the Indonesian Negara Hukum,” in Lindsey, T., ed., Indonesia: Law and Society, Sydney: Federation Press, 269–78.Google Scholar
Musyafa, Haidar (2017) Sogok Aku Kau Kutangkap, Jakarta: Imania.Google Scholar
Pausacker, Helen (2015) “Ahok: Loved and Hated Governor of Jakarta,” Indonesia at Melbourne, 4 August.Google Scholar
Pompe, Sebastiaan (2005) The Indonesian Supreme Court: A Study of Institutional Collapse, Ithaca, NY: Cornell Southeast Asia Program Publications.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Powell, Sian (2004) “Jakarta Judges Slam Army’s Timor Crimes,” Weekend Australian, 27 March.Google Scholar
Prasetyo, Eko, & Arnaz, Farouk (2017) “Antasari Says Yudhoyono Framed Him in Murder Case,” Jakarta Globe, 14 February.Google Scholar
Pratama, Ahdi Martin (2016) “Perjalanan Kasus Yang Menjerat Jessica Kumala Wongso,” Kompas, 27 May.Google Scholar
Pratisto, Sujud Dwi (2018) “Kapolri Tito Karnavian: Artidjo Sosok Yang Sederhana,” Gatra, 2 June.Google Scholar
Pratiwi, Priska Sari (2016) “Bartender Kafe Olivier Pindahkan Kopi Beracun Ke Dalam Botol,” CNN Indonesia, 21 July.Google Scholar
Rakhmatulloh (2015) “Eks Ketua MK: Hakim MA Tambah Hukuman, Itu Pelanggaran!,” Sindonews.com , 12 June.Google Scholar
Redaksi, Kumparan (2018) “Artidjo Dkk Hanya Butuh 13 Hari Untuk Tolak PK Ahok,” Kumparan, 26 March.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018a) Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018b) “Dr Andi Abu Ayyub Saleh: Demokratis,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018c) “Dr H Amran Suadi: Pedekar Keadilan,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018d) “Dr H Sunarto: Akademasi Dan Praktisi Sejati,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018e) “Dr H Wahidin: Pekerja Keras,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018f) “Dr H Yulius: Bersahaja Dan Rendah Hati,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018g) “Dr Harifin Tumpa: Malaikat Mautnya MA,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018h) “Dr Margono: Pengadil Yang Disegani,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018i) “Dr Nurul Elmiyah: Mr Clean,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018j) “Dr Purwosusilo: Sederhana, Disiplin, Jujur, Tegas, Pekerja Keras Dan Ditakuti Oleh Para Koruptor,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018k) “Dr Salman Luthan: ‘Penginspirasi Keadilan’,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018l) “Drs HM Prasetyo: Benteng Terakhir Keadilan,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018m) “Is Sudaryono: Al Mukarom,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018n) “Jenderal Tito Karnavian: Momok Bagi Pelaku Kejahatan,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018o) “M Adi Toegarisman,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018p) “Mahdi Soroina Nasution: Sosok Berkarakter,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018q) “Marianna Sutadi: Tulus,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018r) “Prof Dr Bagir Manan: Disiplin Tentang Kode Etik,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018s) “Prof Dr H Abdul Latif: Konsisten Membela Orang Tertindas,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018t) “Prof Dr Krisna Harahap: Akhir Fenomena Artidjo,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018u) “Prof Dr Surya Jaya: Pekerja Sejati,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018v) “Prof Dr Takdir Rahmadi: Hakim Yang Konsisten,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018w) “Prof Indriyanto Senoadji: Selaras Antara Ucapan Dan Perbuatan,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018x) “Soltoni Mohdally: Memujudkan Cita-Cita MA,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018y) “Sri Murwahyuni: Hakim Yang Lurus,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018z) “Sudrajad Dimyati: Sosok on Time,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018a) “Syamsul Ma’arif: The Icon of Integrity,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Safitri, Ahmad (2018b) “Yosran: Religius Dan Tangguh,” Artidjo Alkostar: Titikan Keikhlasan, Berkhidmat Untuk Keadilan, Jakarta: Supreme Court.Google Scholar
Saputra, Andi (2018a) “Cerita Artidjo Alkostar Dikerjai Teman Suruh Beli Mobil Hummer,” Detik News, 29 May.Google Scholar
Saputra, Andi (2018b) “Karamnya Cinta Artidjo Ke Perempuan New York,” Detik News, 29 May.Google Scholar
Saputra, Andi (2018c) “Kisah Artidjo: Tolak Cuti, Tolak 9 Bulan Gaji,” Detik News, 30 May.Google Scholar
Saputra, Andi (2018d) “Mereka Bicara Kekurangan Artidjo, Dari Hakim Agung Hingga Sahabat,” Detik News, 30 May.Google Scholar
Saputra, Andi (2018e) “Sisi Lain Artidjo: Tak Pernah Cuti Dan Patah Hati Ke Gadis New York,” Detik News, 29 May.Google Scholar
Septiar, Dian (2017) “SBY behind Murder Accusations against Me: Antasari,” Jakarta Post, 14 February.Google Scholar
Somanawat, Kitpatchara (2018) “Construing the Identity of the Thai Judge: Virtue, Status, and Power.” 5 Asian Journal of Law and Society 91–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sukmana, Yoga (2018) “Cerita Artidjo Bentak Dan Usir Pengusaha Yang Mau Coba Menyuapnya,” Kompas, 31 May.Google Scholar
Sukoyo, Yeremia (2018) “Hakim Jangan Kalah Dari Koruptor,” Berita Satu, 30 May.Google Scholar
Taher, Andrian Pratama (2018) “Rizieq Shihab Desak Mahkamah Agung Tolak PK Ahok,” Tirto.id, 21 February.Google Scholar
Tempo English Edition (2009) “Simply Gaining the Upper Hand,” Tempo English Edition, 23 November.Google Scholar
Topsfield, Jewel, & Rompies, Karuni (2016a) “Alleged Cyanide Coffee Murder: Jessica Wongso Prosecutors Call for 20 Years’ Jail,” Sydney Morning Herald, 6 October.Google Scholar
Topsfield, Jewel, & Rompies, Karuni (2016b) “Australian Expert Questions Cyanide Poisoning in Alleged Coffee Murder in Indonesia,” Sydney Morning Herald, 6 September.Google Scholar
Topsfield, Jewel, & Rompies, Karuni (2016c) “Investigation Warned of Police Torture Claims in Jakarta International School Alleged Sex Abuse Case,” The Age, 13 September.Google Scholar
Utami, Ranny Virginai (2015) “Guru JIS Neil Bantleman Divonis 10 Tahun Penjara,” CNN Indonesia, 2 April.Google Scholar
Windrawan, Puguh (2018) Alkostar: Sebuah Biografi, Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas.Google Scholar
World Bank (1995) In the Name of Development: Human Rights and the World Bank in Indonesia, New York: Lawyers Committee for Human Rights and the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy.Google Scholar
Yeung, Kenneth (2016) “Scams in the City: The Punisher,” Indonesia Expat, 7 March.Google Scholar
Yozami, Mohamad Agus (2016) “Ahli: Mirna Meninggal Belum Tentu Karena Sianida,” Hukumonline, 1 September.Google Scholar