The Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has conducted an official visit to Batam, Riau Islands Province, to scrutinize and gather feedback on the yet-to-be-implemented Integrated Criminal Justice System.

Led by team leader Wihadi Wiyanto, the Commission’s visit on Monday (16/10/2023) to Batam centered on understanding the nuances of implementing the Integrated Criminal Justice System, while seeking responses from the Riau High Court and the administrative bodies.

Budgetary constraints have consistently emerged as a primary impediment, with the Supreme Court regularly seeking approval from the DPR RI regarding fiscal matters. Effective communication and collaboration between the two bodies are essential to navigate these budgetary roadblocks.

Erwin Mangatas Malau, the Head of the Riau Islands Province High Court, outlined the achievements and challenges faced by the General Courts in the Riau Islands jurisdiction. They include swift IT-based judicature, human resource scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, especially official residences, and a constricted budget, particularly in the legal district of Riau Islands.

Al’an Basyier, the Chief of the State Administrative Court of Tanjungpinang, emphasized the acute lack of official residences for judges and court officials and an insufficient budget for official vehicles.

Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, a member of the Commission III DPR RI, spotlighted the significance of an Integrity Pact for the judiciary officials in the Riau Islands, ensuring transparency and fairness in the legal process.

Arteria Dahlan voiced concerns over the court’s budgetary shortcomings and emphasized the necessity to alleviate the burden on those seeking justice.

As Batam stands as a key neighbor and frequent destination for Singaporeans and other international visitors, a robust and efficient criminal justice system in the region promotes safety, trust, and confidence. A streamlined and well-budgeted legal framework, once in place, can ensure a seamless experience for visitors while strengthening diplomatic and economic ties.

The Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission III visited Batam, Riau Islands, to oversee the implementation of the Integrated Criminal Justice System. Amid discussions on the system’s potential, budgetary challenges and infrastructure needs took center stage. The visit highlights Indonesia’s commitment to refining its judicial processes, with implications for both locals and international visitors

Source: Metro Batam, DPR RI (2023)