"We deplore the MA`s rejection because they arrived at the decision in way that was against existing regulations," KY spokesman Asep Rahmat Fajar said here on Wednesday.
The KY recently recommended the suspension of several judges from their duties as judges after they finding them guilty of violating the judicial code of ethics when trying former anti-graft chief Antasari Azhar.
The judges sentenced Antasari to 18 years in jail for his involvement in the murder of a businessman. Antasari had filed a request for a judicial review of his sentence after his appeal was turned down by MA.
Asep said MA`s rejection was not in line with the joint decree on the judicial code of ethics and the reference for judges` conduct stating that a decision to suspend a judge temporarily or permanently must be referred to the Judges` Council of Ethics.
"The joint decree meanwhile is a joint agreement made following and in reference to the judiciary law package of 2009 including that on MA," he said.
Asep said KY would take an official stand after studying more thoroughly the MA`s decision.
"What is clear is that whatever official stand we will take will be aimed at clarifying the position and authority of the institutions concerned so that in the future their performance will be more optimal with regard to supervision or sanctions," he said.
Asep said some experts had suggested that the House of Representatives (DPR) immediately enact the revised law on KY or bring the dispute to the Constitutional Court for settlement.
MA had also rejected KY`s recommendation to set up a Judges` Council of Ethics.
A party leader meanwhile has expressed worry that the MA`s arrogance would undercut Antasari`s judicial review efforts.
"It could be clearly seen in MA`s rejection of the KY`s recommendation for the judges trying Antasari," the deputy general chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), Emron Pangkapi, said here on Wednesday.
He said Indonesia had to rise up against judges who think they are infallible.
"The judges` blind spirit of solidarity hurts our judicial system and is beyond the sense of justice. MA`s rejection of KY`s recommendation again proves its arrogance," he said.
Therefore, all criticisms and revelations of judges` mistakes that could be clearly seen from outside their institution had always been turned down so far, he said.
"Since Bagir Manan (former MA chief) to Harifin Tumpa (present MA chief) MA`s blind defence of its corps has already become under public scrutiny," he said referring also to MA`s decision to sentence Prita in her case against Omni International Hospital.
He said judges must not rule only based on judicial regulations but also on the public`s sense of justice.
(T.M036/H-YH/HAJM/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
