The Judicial Commission and Institutional Challenges in the Appointment of Judges in Indonesia’s Reform Framework

Authors

  • Muhammad Bahrul Ulum Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37253/jjr.v27i1.10486

Keywords:

Judicial Commission, Judicial Appointments, Institutional Reform

Abstract

This paper critically examines the position of the Judicial Commission within Indonesia's post-reform judicial structure, focusing on its constitutional mandate established through the 1999–2002 constitutional amendments. Although initially designed as an independent supervisory body tasked with overseeing judicial behaviour and ethics, the Commission's constitutional authority has been significantly constrained by the legal resistance from the Supreme Court, particularly through lawsuits brought before the Constitutional Court. Central to this study is the Judicial Positions Bill (RUU Jabatan Hakim), which reimagines the procedure of judicial appointments through a collaborative framework between the Supreme Court and the Judicial Commission to encourage judicial independence, accountability, and integrity through a transparent and merit-based selection process. Using a socio-legal and comparative approach, the study advocates for a more inclusive and participatory approach to judicial selection by incorporating public engagements such as civil society, experts, and professionals. The findings highlight the need to strengthen the Judicial Commission’s role, emphasising that its involvement in the recruitment process is crucial to tackling judicial corruption and enhancing the integrity of Indonesia’s judiciary. This study contributes to the broader discussion on judicial reform in the Global South, emphasising the importance of integrating institutional frameworks with accountability.

References

Antara. (2024, October 9). KY dorong pembahasan RUU Jabatan Hakim dihidupkan kembali. Antara News. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4385846/ky-dorong-pembahasan-ruu-jabatan-hakim-dihidupkan-kembali

Aprillia, R. (2022). Urgensi Shared Responsibility System dalam Manajemen Hakim. Jurnal Konstitusi, 18(4), 939. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk18410

Ayu, M. R. (2009). Kedudukan Komisi Independen sebagai State Auxiliary Institutions dan Relevansinya dalam Struktur Ketatanegaraan Indonesia. Jurnal Konstitusi, 1(1), 53–72.

BBC Indonesia. (2014, June 30). Akil Mochtar divonis hukuman seumur hidup. BBC News Indonesia. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/berita_indonesia/2014/06/140630_vonis_akil_muchtar

Berita Acara Hasil Pemeriksaan 12/Info-III/BAP/DE/2016 (MK 2016). https://www.mkri.id/public/content/dewanetik/Berita%20Acara%2013.pdf

Butt, S. (2007). The Constitutional Court’s Decision in the Dispute between the Supreme Court and the Judicial Commission: Banishing Judicial Accountability? In R. H. McLeod & A. MacIntyre (Eds.), Indonesia: Democracy and the Promise of Good Governance (pp. 178–200). ISEAS Publishing. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1355/9789812304674-014/pdf?licenseType=restricted

Butt, S. (2023). Constitutional Court Decisions on the Judicial Independence of Other Indonesian Courts. Constitutional Review, 9(2), 247. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev922

Chandranegara, I. S. (2019). Defining Judicial Independence and Accountability Post Political Transition. Constitutional Review, 5(2), 294. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev525

Colbran, N. (2009). Courage under Fire: The First Five Years of the Indonesian Judicial Commission. Australian Journal of Asian Law, 11(2), 273–301.

Detik. (2017). Terbukti Korupsi, Patrialis Akbar Dihukum 8 Tahun Penjara. detiknews. https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3627425/terbukti-korupsi-patrialis-akbar-dihukum-8-tahun-penjara

Du Bois, F. (2006). Judicial Selection in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2283148

Eddyono, L. W. (2010). Penyelesaian Sengketa Kewenangan Lembaga Negara oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi. Jurnal Konstitusi, 7(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk731

Edy Subiyanto, A. (2015). Rekonstruksi Kewenangan Konstitusional Komisi Yudisial. Jurnal Media Hukum, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.2015.0052.140-155

Gammon, L. (2023). Strong “Weak” Parties and “Partial Populism” in Indonesia. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 45(3), 442–464.

Gusman, D., & Syofyan, Y. (2023). Public Participation In Legislation (Legal Comparation Studies In Indonesia, South Africa, And United State). Nagari Law Review, 6(2), 133. https://doi.org/10.25077/nalrev.v.6.i.2.p.133-145.2023

Hakim, L. (2010). Kedudukan Hukum Komisi Negara di Indonesia. Program Pascasarjana Universitas Brawijaya.

Hakim, M. R. (2018). Tafsir Independensi Kekuasaan Kehakiman dalam Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi. Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan, 7(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.7.2.2018.279-296

Hamdan, F. Z. Z., Kristianti, D. R., & Vincentius Verdian. (2022). Limitation of Misconduct of Judges: Increasing The Synergy of Supervision of Judges by The Judicial Commission and The Supreme Court. Yuridika, 38(2), 371–388. https://doi.org/10.20473/ydk.v38i2.45472

Harijanti, S. D. (2014). Pengisian Jabatan Hakim: Kebutuhan Reformasi dan Pengekangan Diri. Jurnal Hukum IUS QUIA IUSTUM, 21(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol21.iss4.art2

Hoesein, Z. A. (2016). Strengthening the Role and Function of Judicial Commission in Building Clean and Respectable Justice in Indonesia. Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), 4(3), 1–7.

Hoexter, C. (2017). The Judicial Service Commission: Lessons from South Africa. In Debating Judicial Appointments in an Age of Diversity. Routledge.

Hukumonline. (2011). Hakim Arsyad Terbukti Langgar Kode Etik. hukumonline.com. https://www.hukumonline.com/berita/a/hakim-arsyad-terbukti-langgar-kode-etik-lt4d54dda21b2c0/

Hukumonline. (2020). KY Usulkan Konsep Pembagian Peran Masuk dalam RUU Jabatan Hakim. hukumonline.com. https://www.hukumonline.com/berita/a/ky-usulkan-konsep-pembagian-peran-masuk-dalam-ruu-jabatan-hakim-lt5f59f35fb6a58/

Indrayana, D. (2008). Negara Antara Ada dan Tiada: Reformasi Hukum Ketatanegaraan. Penerbit Buku Kompas.

Jawa, D., Malau, P., & Ciptono, C. (2024). Tantangan dalam Penegakan Hukum Tindak Pidana Korupsi di Indonesia. JURNAL USM LAW REVIEW, 7(2), 1006–1017. https://doi.org/10.26623/julr.v7i2.9507

Komisi Yudisial. (2018). KY | Banyak Rekomendasi Sanksi KY Ditolak MA. https://komisiyudisial.go.id/frontend/news_detail/589/many-recommendations-of-sanction-from-the-ky-rejected-by-the-ma

Komisi Yudisial. (2021). KY | RUU Jabatan Hakim Masih Tarik Ulur di Tingkat Legislatif. https://www.komisiyudisial.go.id/frontend/news_detail/14945/ruu-jabatan-hakim-masih-tarik-ulur-di-tingkat-legislatif

Komisi Yudisial. (2025). KY | KY Tidak Berwenang Mengawasi Hakim MK. https://www.komisiyudisial.go.id/frontend/news_detail/15808/ky-tidak-berwenang-mengawasi-hakim-mk#

Kompas. (2024). DPR Buka Peluang Bahas RUU Jabatan Hakim untuk Atasi Persoalan Gaji. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/10/08/18120361/dpr-buka-peluang-bahas-ruu-jabatan-hakim-untuk-atasi-persoalan-gaji

Kristiana, Y., & Hutahayan, B. (2024). Judicial Corruption in the Post-Reform Era: Assessing the Effectiveness of Legal Reforms in Indonesia. International Criminal Law Review, 1(aop), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718123-bja10208

Kusworo, D. L., & Fauzi, M. N. K. (2024). Diskursus Pemenuhan Kesejahteraan Hakim Sebagai Pencegahan Judicial Corruption Melalui Rancangan Undang-Undang Jabatan Hakim: Studi Komparatif Dengan Negara Amerika dan Kanada. Judex Laguens, 2(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.25216/ikahi.2.2.8.2024.167-186

Lubis, V. D., Rumokoy, D., & Gerungan, C. (2024). Optimalisasi Wewenang Pengawasan Hakim oleh Mahkamah Agung dan Komisi Yudisial Melalui penerapan Sistem Satu Atap. LEX PRIVATUM, 13(4). https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/index.php/lexprivatum/article/download/56830/46968

Maladi, Y. (2010). “Benturan Asas Nemo Judex Idoneus In Propria Causa dan Asas Ius Curia Novit” (Telaah Yuridis Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 005/ Puu-Iv/2006). Jurnal Konstitusi, 7(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk721

Malan, K. (2014). Reassessing Judicial Independence and Impartiality against the Backdrop of Judicial Appointments in South Africa. PER: Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad, 17(5), 1965–2040. https://doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v17i5.05

Media DPR. (2023, November 11). Mengembalikan Kewenangan KY untuk Mengawasi Hakim MK Melalui RUU. https://emedia.dpr.go.id/2023/11/11/mengembalikan-kewenangan-ky-untuk-mengawasi-hakim-mk-melalui-ruu/

MK. (2023). MKMK Berhentikan Anwar Usman dari Jabatan Ketua Mahkamah Konstitusi | Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia. https://www.mkri.id/index.php?page=web.Berita&id=19751&menu=2

Muhlizi, A. F., & SH, M. (2013). Melahirkan Hakim Reformis. Rechtsvinding Media Pembinaan Hukum Indonesia, 2(047), 1–7.

Nurjannah, S. (2015). Mewujudkan Visi MA tentang Badan Peradilan yang Agung Melalui Undang-Undang Jabatan Hakim. Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan, 4(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.4.1.2015.65-82

Oxtoby, C. (2021). The Appointment of Judges: Reflections on the Performance of the South African Judicial Service Commission. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 56(1), 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909620946849

Pillay, A. (2017). Protecting judicial independence through appointments processes: A review of the Indian and South African experiences. Indian Law Review, 1(3), 283–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/24730580.2018.1443692

Pompe, S. (2005). The Indonesian Supreme Court: A Study of Institutional Collapse. Southeast Asia Program Publications, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University.

Prasisko, Y. G. (2016). Gerakan Sosial Baru Indonesia: Reformasi 1998 dan Proses Demokratisasi Indonesia. Jurnal Pemikiran Sosiologi, 3(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.22146/jps.v3i2.23532

Rasyid, U., Nggilu, N. M., Wantu, F., Kaluku, J. A., & Ahmad, A. (2023). Reformulation of the Authority of Judicial Commission: Safeguarding the Future of Indonesian Judicial Power. Jambura Law Review, 5(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v5i2.24239

Rishan, I. (2016). Redesain Sistem Pengangkatan dan Pemberhentian Hakim di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum IUS QUIA IUSTUM, 23(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol23.iss2.art1

Rishan, I. (2019). Pelaksanaan Kebijakan Reformasi Peradilan Terhadap Pengelolaan Jabatan Hakim Setelah Perubahan Undang Undang Dasar 1945. Jurnal Hukum IUS QUIA IUSTUM, 26(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol26.iss2.art3

Rishan, I. (2022). Doubting the Impartiality: Constitutional Court Judges and Conflict of Interest. Jurnal Jurisprudence, 12(1), 92–105. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v12i1.1058

Savitri, D. (2013). Kewenangan Komisi Yudisial dan Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat dalam Pengangkatan Hakim Agung. Jurnal Cita Hukum, 1(2), 96184. https://doi.org/10.15408/jch.v1i2.2993

Setia Negara, T. A., Anggoro, S. A., & Koeswahyono, I. (2024). Indonesian Job Creation Law: Neoliberal Legality, Authoritarianism and Executive Aggrandizement Under Joko Widodo. Law & Development Review, 17(1), 155–197. https://doi.org/10.1515/ldr-2023-0022

Siregar, F. E. (2016). Indonesia Constitutional Court Constitutional Interpretation Methodology (2003-2008). Constitutional Review, 1(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev111

Siyo, L., & Mubangizi, J. C. (2015). The independence of South African judges: A constitutional and legislative perspective. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 18(4), 816–846. https://doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v18i4.03

Suara. (2025). Ancaman di Balik Krisis Hakim di Indonesia, Sulitnya Warga Dapat Keadilan. https://liks.suara.com/read/2025/03/14/081946/ancaman-di-balik-krisis-hakim-di-indonesia-sulitnya-warga-dapat-keadilan

Subiyanto, A. E. (2016). Mendesain Kewenangan Kekuasaan Kehakiman Setelah Perubahan UUD 1945. Jurnal Konstitusi, 9(4), 661. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk944

Suparto, S. (2017). Kedudukan dan Kewenangan Komisi Yudisial Republik Indonesia dan Perbandingannya dengan Komisi Yudisial di Beberapa Negara Eropa. Jurnal Hukum Dan Pembangunan, 47(4), 497–516.

Suparto, S., Hyeonsoo, K., Hardiago, D., & Syafrinaldi, R. F. (2024). Enhancing External Oversight of Constitutional Judges: A Study on the Role of the Judicial Commission in Indonesia and South Korea. Lex Scientia Law Review, 8(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.15294/lslr.v8i1.14140

Taufik, G. A. (2014). Pembatasan dan Penguatan Kekuasaan Kehakiman dalam Pemilihan Hakim Agung. Jurnal Yudisial, 7(3), 295–310.

TI. (2025, February 11). Corruption Perceptions Index 2024. Transparency International. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024

TII. (2024, January 30). Indeks Persepsi Korupsi: Pemberantasan Korupsi Kembali ke Titik Nol. Transparency International Indonesia. https://ti.or.id/indeks-persepsi-korupsi-2023-pemberantasan-korupsi-kembali-ke-titik-nol/

TII. (2025, February 11). Indeks Persepsi Korupsi 2024: “Korupsi, Demokrasi dan Krisis Lingkungan.” Transparency International Indonesia. https://ti.or.id/indeks-persepsi-korupsi-2024-korupsi-demokrasi-dan-krisis-lingkungan-2/

Tilley, A., & Ndlebe, Z. (2021). Judicial Appointments in South Africa. British Journal of American Legal Studies, 10(3), 457–478. https://doi.org/10.2478/bjals-2021-0013

Ulum, M. B. (2020). Indonesian democracy and political parties after twenty years of reformation: A contextual analysis. Indonesia Law Review, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.15742/ilrev.v10n1.577

Walujan, V. A. (2023). Implikasi Konstitusional Penggantian Hakim Konstitusi oleh Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia. LEX ADMINISTRATUM, 12(1), Article 1. https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/v3/index.php/administratum/article/view/52784

Wantu, F. M., Nggilu, N. M., Imran, S., Arief, S. A., & Gobel, R. T. S. (2021). Proses Seleksi Hakim Konstitusi: Problematika dan Model Ke Depan. Jurnal Konstitusi, 18. https://scholar.archive.org/work/tqydwow4rzca7cyuyavkd6ks2y/access/wayback/https://jurnalkonstitusi.mkri.id/index.php/jk/article/download/1820/pdf

Published

2025-06-03

Issue

Section

Articles