TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Three of the five judges, who recently delivered a two-year prison sentence to Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) for committing blasphemy against Islam, have received promotion and post transfers.
The Supreme Court confirmed here on Saturday that stringent selection was carried out in the past three months before the decision to promote them was taken.
"We did not find any violation by the three judges," Ridwan Mansyur, Supreme Courts head of law affairs and public relations, noted.
Mansyur said the people or the Judicial Commission are free to report to the Supreme Court any violations or flaws in connection with their transfers and promotion on May 10 or a day after they gave a verdict on Ahok.
Chief Judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto and jury members Abdul Rosyad and Jupriyadi received the promotion.
"The Supreme Court has been selective and transparent in conducting the selection for the promotion," Ridwan remarked.
He said the selection process took three to four months, and so, it was a mere coincidence that its decision was announced just a day after the verdict on Ahok was given.
"Several aspects were taken into account, including ranks and work experience as well as their track records," he noted.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court announced the promotion and post transfers for 388 judges, three of which were those who handled the blasphemy case involving Jakartas Christian governor.
Following the courts decision, Ahok has been placed in detention while his position as Jakarta governor has been revoked by the Ministry of Home Affairs and taken over by his deputy Djarot Syaiful Hidayat.
Ahoks supporters across the country have held candle light vigils in the past few days in response to the courts verdict they believed was unjust.
Ahok, who lost the recent election, some believed partly due to his blasphemous statement that had triggered wide-scale demonstrations by Muslims in the city, has appealed against the verdict.
ANTARA
