"We are preparing a selection committee to select the new MK judge," Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government is setting up a committee to select candidates for the post of Constitutional Court (MK) judge to replace Patrialis Akbar.

"We are preparing a selection committee to select the new MK judge," Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated here on Tuesday.

President Joko Widodo had earlier stated that the government will formulate a selection committee to conduct an open recruitment. As a result, people would be able to offer inputs to the government directly.

Akbar was caught red-handed by a team of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) while allegedly receiving bribes in connection with a judicial review of Law Number 41 of 2014 on Animal Husbandry and Health.

He was suspected to have received US$20 thousand and was to receive another S$200 thousand (about Rp2.1 billion) from Basuki, the president director of PT Sumber Laut Perkasa and PT Impexindo Pratama.

Besides Akbar, the KPK team also arrested 10 other people from different locations in Jakarta in connection with the case, including Basuki Hariman, accused of paying bribes, along with N.G. Fenny, his employee, and Kamaludin, another individual who acted as an intermediary between Hariman and Akbar.

Meanwhile, Akbar has denied receiving money from Basuki in connection with a judicial review of Law No. 41 of 2014 on Animal Husbandry and Health.

"I have not received a single cent from Basuki. Moreover, he has no legal case pending with the MK. It has nothing to do with the case," Akbar stated.

Hence, Akbar had submitted his resignation from the post of MK justice on Monday (Jan 30).

In response to Akbars arrest, President Widodo has expressed disappointment over the fact that a law enforcer was caught for involvement in a corruption case.

"I think the entire country is disappointed," the president remarked.

The president said the policy currently being implemented to keep corruption in check will usher in total reforms in the field of law.

"Yes, the process is aimed at implementing total reforms in the field of law," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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