THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT: PUBLIC HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS TO COURT

Jakarta-PR: In this ease-of-information era which led to high public expectations of the court, we are like living in a glasshouse. It is transparent, every eye may stare and everyone may assess our actions. In this meantime, strong leadership is the value that we need to build the integrity of a judge and a judicial apparatus. It has to be our concern that preserving integrity is a non-negotiable behaviour, lack of integrity will lose honour.

This speech is delivered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Prof. Dr. H. M. Syarifuddin, S.H., M.H., at the inauguration of the Head of Primary Military Court and the Head of High Military Court, on Tuesday 23 April 2024 at Kusumaatmadja room, 14th floor of the Supreme Court building.

Furthermore, he said that the Head’s qualifications in the military courts must have these five aspects, such as solid leadership, absolute integrity, an ability to work in fast-paced environments, a good quality of communication, and an ability to make hard decisions. These aspects are essential to contribute to maintain the armed forces' discipline, therefore every breach committed by the soldier may be reduced and settled firmly, properly, efficiently, and transparently.

According to him, the leadership in the military courts not only needs great law expertise but also needs sensitivity to certain aspects related to the military law. The chiefs of the military courts must acknowledge ethical codes, regulations, and procedures in the military jurisdiction and they must ensure that the law enforcement is performed under the justice principles and the human rights.

“A great leader is the one who can be a great role model to his members, not just giving orders and instructions. My sentences are in line with the old quote which: “The most effective leader is one who leads by example, not just by instructions,” said The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia.

By the end of his speech, Syarifuddin hopes the inaugurated particular persons are having ability to perform an escort function (voor post) optimally for monitoring behaviour and ethics of the military courts judicial apparatus in performing their duties. He also said that the Chiefs of Appellate Courts must be more concerned with every report and complaint on the breaches of discipline and ethical codes that potentially break the court’s honour and pride.

The inaugurated Heads of Primary Military Court and Chiefs of High Military Court are as follows:

1. Laksma of Indonesian National Armed Forces Ismu Edy Aryanto, S.H., M.H., as the Head of Primary Military Court
2. Laksma of Indonesian National Armed Forces Tuty Kiptiani, S.H., M.H., as the Head of Jakarta High Military Court II
3. Laksma of Indonesian National Armed Forces Hari Aji Sugianto, S.H., M.H., as the Head of Medan High Military Court I
4. Brigjen of Indonesian National Armed Forces Dr. Esron Sinambela, S.S., S.H., M.H., as the Head of Surabaya High Military Court III

This inauguration was attended by the Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for Judicial Matters, the Chairpersons of the Chamber of the Supreme Court, the Officials of Echelon I and II of the Supreme Court Jurisdictions, the Head of the Supreme Court Dharmayukti Karini, and other guests. (Public Relations) (Translated by AF/LHS/Reviewed by azh/RS)