Bogor-PR: Prof. Dr. H. M. Syarifuddin S.H., M.H., the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court officially opened Short Learning (Diklat) 1 of the Judge Candidates Learning (PPCH) batch 2 on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 in the Mahkamah Agung Corporate University, Bogor, West Java. This event is participated by 482 candidates of judges which consist of 324 participants of the General Court, 123 participants of the Religious Court, and 35 participants of the State Administration Court.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court accompanied by Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for Judicial Matters, Chairperson of the Fostering Chamber, Chairperson of the Monitoring Chamber, Chairperson of the Civil Chamber, Chairperson of the State Administration Chamber, Chairperson of the Religious Chamber, Chairperson of the Criminal Chamber, Chairperson of the Military Chamber, and Echelon one and two Officials of the Supreme Court also attended the event. The Chief said that all of the Chairpersons who attended are for giving support and motivation to all participants who will be trained six weeks later.

“We’re here now because we know you will replace us in the future,” said Syarifuddin, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and everyone applauded.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court started his speech by congratulating the participants because they could make it to this step as they had gone through many tests and competed with thousands of participants before. According to him, this is the early process of self-forging as the law enforcer.

According to him, a judge is a role model in the law enforcement process as the law transparency of this country is dependent on the judge’s gavel.

A judge must have a genuine heart and pure intention for enforcing the law in this world. It is a common thing that every choice must have consequences as if we choose to be a judge, relating to that he said that those candidates have to occupy this position with full honor and responsibility.

“If you have decided to be a judge, you have to convince yourself that this position is your genuine choice as God has been destined for you, therefore there are no “It’s my second choice," I just happened to pass”, etc,” he said.

The 482 participants have been chosen to embrace the noble trust which is not easy and challenging. He asks the judge candidates that from this early stage they must convince their hearts that they will become the smart judge with integrity, honesty, and transparency as their main principles so as not to betray God's destiny.

“If you are appointed as the judge later, you must become a professional judge with integrity,” he said.

Professionality and integrity are the absolute principles that must be owned by a judge because integrity without professionality will become fragile but professionality without integrity will become the source of catastrophe.

Professionality can be developed by knowledge through studying and reading, but integrity must be dedicated from the deepest heart and then implemented into action. Bearing the responsibility as a judge not only needs a high knowledge but it needs an integrity and sensitivity of conscience, therefore a judge’s heart must remain clean by drawing closer to God.

Syarifuddin, the Professor of Diponegoro University wishes the judge candidate participants to be able to perform their duties and responsibilities as judges who have professionality and high integrity.

At the same time, Agung Hery Mulyono, S.H., M.H., Head of the Research and Development Agency for Legal and Judiciary Training of the Supreme Court said that the participants will gain knowledge and skills through this event as a judge and will be given the education of behavior, moral, ethic, and discipline as of become a judge is not only being smart to analyze law cases and to lead trials but the essential key are having integrity, discipline, and good moral.

This event is closed by taking photos of participants and the officials. (azh/RS/photo:Yrz/Translated by AF/LHS/reviewed by azh/RS)