Jakarta – Constitutional Court (MK) chief justice Mafud MD says he is ready to be a witness on behalf of his former employee, election document forgery suspect Zainal Arifin Hoesein. "I am ready," Mahfud told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
According to the National Police, Zainal will call Mahfud, fellow judges Maria Farida Indrati and Hardjono, and public administration law expert Saldi Isra from Andalas University as defense witnesses.
Zainal allegedly played a role in forging a court letter that handed an election victory to People's Conscience Party (Hanura) legislative candidate Dewi Yasin Limpo in 2009.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said that it would be better if Mahfud agreed to voluntary questioning by the police instead of waiting for a summons.
"To summon Mahfud in his capacity as chief justice, we need to ask the President's permission. It will take a long time, unless [Mahfud] is willing to come on his own initiative," Anton told reporters on Thursday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Anton said that the police would complete their investigation of Zainal in near future and then forward the case to prosecutors. "It's better if Mahfud gives his testimony immediately," said Anton.
Mahfud said he would immediately adjust his schedule for questioning if the police or Zainal's lawyer made official requests. "So far his [Zainal] lawyer has talked with me in informal conversation. I am waiting for the formal request now," he added.
The police have questioned several witnesses about the case, including former General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Andi Nurpati, former MK judge Arsyad Sanusi and several election commission members and court staffers.
Mahfud said that he was not intent that Andi Nurpati was named a suspect in the case. "Just don't let someone less guilty get sentenced," he added.
The chief justice previously said it was irrational that Zainal had been named a suspect, offering to defend him to the maximum.
Mahfud said that his actions were not intended to impede police investigators, citing a "moral responsibility" to help underlings who have been unfairly treated by police investigators.
The police have currently named only two suspects in the case, Zainal Arifin and another former MK staff member, Mashuri Hasan, alleging that the pair forged the letter in question.
The police have not named as suspects those who used the MK's letter, nor have they identified the masterminded behind the forgery.
"The police will continue to investigate the case as to who used the MK's letter," Anton said, adding that Zainal Arifin would remain a suspect. (rpt)