Judicial Commission kicks off new justice selection

Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 05/03/2010 9:07 PM

As many as 25 justice candidates have begun undergoing a series of tests conducted by the Judicial Commission to fill the two vacant justice positions at the Supreme Court.

Judicial Commission chairman Busyro Muqoddas told reporters on Monday the candidates consisted of six people proposed by the government, 13 judges proposed by the Supreme Court, and six other candidates from the public.

“In this series of tests, we want to highlight and stress on the integrity aspect. We have learnt much from the recent revelation about the alleged mafia in the judiciary system,” Busyro said.

There were 53 people submitting applications for the justice selection to the Judicial Commission. From that number, only 26 people have been considered eligible to face the tests.

One of the eligible candidates suddenly quit the race due to an administrative reason.

Monday’s test was a problem solving assessment. “They were faced with a legal problem and supposed to make a short paper about how to solve the problem,” Busyro said.

On Tuesday, the candidates would be asked to make profile assessments. “For example, if the candidate is a judge, he or she is supposed to make a short paper about the verdicts he or she had made. If the candidate is a lawyer, create an explanation about some cases he or she has ever handled,” Busyro said.

In the following days, the candidates would face psychology tests, medical check-ups, and interviews.

“In the end, we will select the best six candidates to be handed over to the House of Representatives in June,” Busyro said.

House’ Commission III on law and human rights will conduct fit and proper tests on the six candidates to select two new justices.