An Indonesian judicial ethics panel has taken disciplinary action against six Constitutional Court judges who were found to have breached ethical standards in a recent ruling that permitted President Joko Widodo’s son to enter the race for the vice presidency. This decision, which ignited public outrage, was related to the judges’ determination that a minimum age requirement of 40 should not apply to all candidates just three days before the commencement of the election registration process.
This ruling essentially paved the way for Gibran Rakabuming Raka, aged 36, to participate in the election as the running mate of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The judges’ actions prompted significant controversy and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Jimly Asshiddiqie, the head of the ethics panel, disclosed the findings, asserting that the six judges had collectively violated the ethical code expected of constitutional judges. While the panel’s announcement was ongoing, it was also set to address complaints against three other judges, including Chief Justice Anwar Usman, who is not only the president’s brother-in-law but also Gibran’s uncle.
The ethics panel, in its assessment, concluded that the first six judges had transgressed standards of decency and appropriateness in handling a case that posed a potential conflict of interest for the chief justice.
President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, had faced allegations from his critics that he might have influenced the court’s ruling. However, he chose to remain silent on the court’s decision and the ensuing allegations.
Initially, the inclusion of Gibran in the vice presidential race was viewed by some political experts as a strategic move that could benefit Prabowo’s campaign. It could potentially allow Prabowo, a three-time presidential candidate, to tap into Jokowi’s substantial support base. However, the controversy surrounding the court’s ruling has overshadowed this political calculation.
