The Indonesian Constitutional Court Chief of Justice – a Scandal
By Charlie Hartono - 12:26:00 pm
As reported by the local and international mass media, Akil Mochtar the Indonesian Constitutional Court Chief of Justice was detained 2nd October 2013 by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) – an Indonesian independent ethics council. Mochtar who has just been selected by the House of Representatives last August 2013 was seized for allegedly accepting a bribe of about $260,000 aimed at influencing the subpoena being processed by the court over a polemicized result in a local election in Kalimantan province. In this wrongdoing, he was too purportedly committing money laundering.
Akil Mochtar – served as Chief of Justice of the Indonesian Constitutional Court. (Photo by Dany Permana / Tribunnews.com, 2013) |
II. States’ symbol tarnished
Aspect of statesmanship of the Constitutional Court judge which supposed to be placed in a very high and respectable position in the system was demolished just because a person's desire to enrich himself by abusing possessed power. Mochtar’s arrest has undeniably tarnished the dignity of the state symbol and merely weakened the credibility of the government of Indonesia. The Indonesian public’s confidence in the rule of law has even more collapsed, crushed, and shapeless. Nevertheless, the bold action taken by the KPK should be appreciated and needs to progressively roll over as the trenchant watchdog of the unprincipled government officials.
III. The consequences of unethical behaviour
As the consequence of his unethical behaviour, Mochtar has lost his integrity, which is the most valuable and important quality anyone can have in his life (Walton, 2006). The tainted money and his power just last for a temporary yet he has diminished himself from the network of people who trust him as a respectable person. Fundamentally, this disappointing scandal is also a disgrace to his family. It indeed brings deep psychologically pressure of his wife and children whereas they will experience deep sorrow, anger, embarrassed of performing their daily activities in their society.
IV. Integrity of the leaders
Indonesia oftentimes included among the world's most-corrupt nations for many years. Last year, Transparency International ranked Indonesia 118th among 176 countries and territories on its Corruption Perception Index 2012.
Summing up and reflecting from Mochtar’s case, Indonesia desperately needs high integrity leaders who shall walk the talk, consistent between the words and actions, own high moral standard, be sincere and fully in control of their own behaviours (Low, 2013; Peterson and Seligman, 2004). Some scholars endorsed that with the upright character true leaders can incise significant change and inspire their surroundings with more fascinating visions. (Miller, 2011, p.183; Palanski & Yammarino, 2007; Brown and Trevin, 2006).
References
BBC. (2013). Indonesia arrests top judge on corruption charges. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24344995
Brown, M.E., & Trevin~o, L.K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17, 595-616.
Low, P.K.C. (2013). Leading successfully in Asia. Berlin; New York: Springer
Miller, W.C. (2011). Spiritual-Based Leadership, in Zsolnai, L. (2nd ed.), Spirituality and ethics in management, New York: Springer.
Monalisa (2013). Akil Mochtar siap diperiksa majelis kehormatan. Retrieved from: http://www.antaranews.com/berita/399920/akil-mochtar-siap-diperiksa-majelis-kehormatan
Palanski, M. E., & Yammarino, F. J. (2007). Integrity and leadership: Clearing the conceptual confusion. European Management Journal, 25, 171–184.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford/American Psychological Association.
Ramadhan, B (2013). Kesal Ditanya Siap Potong Jari, Ketua MK Tampar Wartawan. Retrieved from: http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/hukum/13/10/04/mu3odu-kesal-ditanya-siap-potong-jari-ketua-mk-tampar-wartawan
The New Zealand Herald. (2013). Top Indonesia judge arrested on suspicion of graft. Retrieved from: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11134318
Transparency International, (2012). Corruption Perception Index 2012. Retrieved from http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results
Walton, D.N. (2006). Character evidence; an abductive theory. Dordrecht: Springer.
Zid (2013). Akil Mochtar Bukan Kader Golkar. Retrieved from: http://pekanbaru.tribunnews.com/2013/10/03/akil-mochtar-bukan-kader-golkar
As the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta is the irony of a diverse city. Behind all the pomp skyscraper buildings, there are many citizens from different social strata who are struggling to reach their own dreams. Shut our mouth, our ear and hold our breath. Let's just enjoy the beauty of Jakarta's pluralism with our eyes!
The influx of goods from China is unstoppable. Someday in an impromptu bazaar, you may probably find out that the price of a bra may be now much cheaper than the price of a cup of Starbucks. |
I am grateful to be part in the making of University of Auckland Business School's video campaign with other students from US, Russia, China and India.
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“Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” in Auckland
By Charlie Hartono - 2:14:00 am
Owner of “Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” - Boon Tham and Sumlee Boonyapituk |
As a new kid on the block who just arrived in Auckland, l had a sense that I would desperately find a restaurant that sell Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng). It’s just so coincidentally when I walked around that day, I found a Food court displayed “NASI GORENG for $6” sign. I was more surprised as I realized that the food seller is not Indonesian.
Boon Tham and Sumlee Boonyapituk are husband and wife who
started a small restaurant right inside a food court near Anzac Avenue a year
ago. For around 6 years, Boon survived working in Auckland before he finally decided
quitting and then opened this restaurant. Consequently, his wife Sumlee had to leave
Thailand and come to Auckland together with their 3 children joining Boon running
the business together.
The Chef - Boon Tham |
“Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” most wanted 6$ meals |
“Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” - Menu |
Have you ever badly felt craving for foodies from your hometown? “Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” at 79-83 Anzac Avenue, Auckland CBD might be the first suitable option to expel your so called “home sick” for a tasty Asian Food. I highly recommend this restaurant!
“Thai Issan & Malay Cuisine” Restaurant in a Food Court area |