Prabowo Voices Concern Over Indonesia's Legal System Following Bribery Scandal

April 17, 2025 | 11:54 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed concerns about the functioning of Indonesia's legal system following the bribery case involving a judge in the crude palm oil (CPO) export corruption trial, revealed People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani.

"This has been President Prabowo's concern from the beginning, that law enforcement in our country always presents future challenges," said Muzani, who is also the General Secretary of the Gerindra Party at the Parliament Complex on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

According to him, there is a persistent risk of legal cases leading to further complications. Recognizing this, he noted that Prabowo has consistently been critical of the efforts to develop national law. "Because this is one of the vulnerable points that becomes a problem," Muzani elaborated.

Based on this understanding, Muzani indicated that Prabowo desires a restructuring of legal development in Indonesia. "He wants to carry out this development comprehensively," he added.

To achieve legal reform and improve the judicial system, Muzani stated that Prabowo intends to continue seeking input from various stakeholders, particularly legal experts. "He wants to continue to receive input from legal experts who share the same determination and desire for the Republic of Indonesia to become a strong legal state," Muzani affirmed.

Through discussions with experts and law enforcement officials, including judges, the aim is to ensure integrity within the system. Therefore, Muzani emphasized that only individuals with a strong dedication to the nation and the state should hold positions as judges and other law enforcement officers.

The Attorney General's Office had previously identified four judges as suspects in the bribery case concerning the manipulation of acquittal rulings (known as "onslag" in Dutch legal terminology, meaning discharge without conviction) in the corruption case related to the issuance of permits for crude palm oil exports at the Central Jakarta District Court.

The four individuals are the former Deputy Chair of the Central Jakarta District Court, Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, and three members of the judicial panel: Djuyamto (the presiding judge), Agam Syarief Baharuddin (a member), and Ali Muhtarom (an ad hoc judge).

These three members of the judicial panel were directly appointed by Arif Nuryanta, who allegedly accepted bribes amounting to Rp60 billion to influence the handling of the CPO export corruption case. On March 19, 2024, the judicial panel delivered an "onslag" verdict in the case, which involved three major companies: PT Wilmar Group, PT Permata Hijau Group, and PT Musim Mas Group.

In response to these events, the Supreme Court has established a Special Task Force under its Supervisory Board to enhance ethical oversight and discipline among judges. This task force will operate within four judicial districts under the Jakarta legal jurisdiction.

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