The process of selecting Constitutional Court (MK) justices from three institutions—the House of Representatives (DPR), the President, and the Supreme Court—is considered flawed. As a result, the Constitutional Court is nothing more than a political body, not a judicial institution.
“Consequently, what had never been anticipated has come to pass. When Akil Mocthar was arrested, his loyalty was not to his role as a constitutional justice, But rather, he was loyal to another party,” said Setara Institute researcher Ismail Hasani while presenting his organization’s survey results regarding the MK in Jakarta on Monday (11/11).
According to Ismail, this assessment is reflected in Setara’s survey results. Based on the survey, 61.5 percent of respondents believe that the sources and channels for recruiting MK justices have been flawed all along.
The Constitutional Court was previously known as an institution largely free from criticism. However, that perception did a complete 360-degree turn when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar on bribery charges. “Public trust in Constitutional Court justices has plummeted,” explained Ismail.
Editor: Ichoel