Hatta Ali Elected as the Chief Justice

Jakarta | badilag.net (09/02/12)

Dr. H. M. Hatta Ali, SH, MH won a democratic election for chief justice of the Supreme Court on Wednesday (02/08/2012). The election was held in a special plenary meeting in Kusuma Atmadja Room.

There were 54 justices attending the election. Hatta Ali got 28 votes, defeating Dr. H. Ahmad Kamil, SH, M. Hum who 15 votes.

Three other justices who were also gaining votes are H. Abdul Kadir Mappong, SH (4 votes), Dr. H. Mohammad Saleh, SH, MH (3 votes) and Prof. Dr. Paul E Loutulung, SH (1 votes). Meanwhile, the third ballots were declared invalid.

The election was conducted in accordance with the Decree of the Chief Justice No.19/KMA/SK/II/2012 on Election Code of  Chief Justice. According to article 7 (4) of the Decree, a candidate would win the election if he could gain 50 percent plus one vote.

"The Hon. Dr. M. Hatta Ali, SH, MH gained 28 votes. It means he gets 50 percent plus one therefore he wins the election," said Chairman of the Selection Committee, Nurhadi, SH, MH.

Having elected, Hatta Ali was asked to sign a statement of willingness to become Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice,  Harifin A Tumpa congratulated Hatta Ali. "Congratulation. I hope you carry out the mandate," he said.

Harifin was very grateful that the election was democratically held. He advised that any disagreement arising during the election process from did not exist anymore.

After the election, Hatta Ali thanked to justices who voted, especially those who voted him.

Hatta Ali hoped that any dispute during the election would not exist and the Supreme Court could carry out its reform program which was stipulated in the Blueprint.

(Rahmat Arijaya)