Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Constitutional law expert from Andalas University, Feri Amsari, stated that President Prabowo Subianto has compromised the independence of the judiciary by recently meeting with Supreme Court judges and providing them with directives.
"Gathering and providing various views from the president to the judicial power is a form of intervention," Feri said in a voice message sent to Tempo on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Feri said that such forms of intervention have also occurred during the old and new order regimes. He assessed that Prabowo's intervention with the Supreme Court judges would greatly damage the state system in Indonesia.
"Pak Prabowo should not enter a situation where the power is dominated and centralized," said the 'Dirty Vote' film actor.
It was previously reported that Prabowo summoned all judges in Indonesia to a gathering at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Deputy Coordinator Minister of Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Otto Hasibuan, said the judges would receive directions from Prabowo.
"[They'll] come to listen to the president's directives," Otto said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, revealed that during the meeting, Prabowo asked the Supreme Court judges to uphold the law with integrity. He added that upholding justice in law enforcement is important to support the government's efforts to reclaim the state's natural resources.
"The president asks for backup to uphold the law correctly. Because Prabowo is going to take a slightly tough step," said Yusril after attending the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
President Prabowo Subianto previously delivered a speech at the special annual report session of the Indonesian Supreme Court at the court's building, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
During that address, the president emphasized the importance of ensuring that all judges have official residences and are not forced to rent or live in boarding houses.
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.