Humble and Ordinary figure

Denpasar high court justice Suhartoyo is appointed as Constitutional Justice replacing Ahmad Fadlil Sumadi who ends his term since January 7, 2015. On January 17, 2015, the man born in Sleman took oath in front of President Joko Widodo.

Living in a modest family,  Suhartoyo never thought to be a law enforcer. He    was concern on political studies when he was in high school. He was interested to work in Foreign Affairs Ministry. However, he failed to be political student.    The failure brought a blessing in disguise. He then enrolled to law studies. “I didn’t regret my failure in enrolling political studies. Actually, political studies     are similar to law studies. The orientation is not much different,” said him who married with Sutyowati.

As time went by, he was getting more interested in law studies. He then interested to be prosecutor, instead of justice. However, he also participated in justice test because his friends asked him to register in it. His fate brought him   to be justice. Among their friends, he was the only one who passed the test. “In fact, I passed the test while my friends who asked me to register were indeed failed. I started my career as justice then. A sense pride began to appear after becoming a justice,” said him who enthusiast in golf and rally.

In 1986, he initially served as prospective justice (calon hakim) in Bandar Lampung district court. His carrier as district court justice continued in several regions until 2011, as followed; Curup district court (1989), Metro district court (1995), Tangerang district court (2001), Bekasi district court  (2006).  He was also served at Denpasar high Court and appointed as Deputy Chief of Kotabumi district court in 1999, Chief of Praya district court (2004), Deputy Chief of Pontianak district court (2009), Chief of Pontianak district court (2010), Deputy Chief of East Jakarta district court (2011), and Chief of South Jakarta district court (2011).

 

Adaptable

The Constitutional Court is a completely new workplace for him who has got  three children. Different authorities possessed by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court made him learn much. As known, the Supreme Court verdict is only applied to an individual or people who filed petition, while the Constitutional Court verdict is applied to all Indonesian citizens. He claimed that he learned quickly and should adapt at the Constitutional Court. “I found one difference        in the context of verdict script. The Constitutional Court used subtle language than the Supreme Court which used language quite sharp. As for the session,      I didn’t find any problem,” explained him.

These different authorities made him adapted as Constitutional Justice. It was  not difficult for him to do his duty and cooperate with other Constitutional  Justices. “Other Constitutional Justices helped me to adapt.  I  learned  much from them,” said him.

 

Believe in Selection Committee

Controversy over his election by the Supreme Court, Suhartoyo explained that  he didn’t want to defend himself. He believed that the truth would speak itself.   He had been passed several fit and proper test. “Regarding the integrity and competence, I already passed the test. I believed in selection committee,” said him.

He also explained on Sudjiono Timan’s case that allegedly adjudicated by him. According to Suhartoyo, he didn’t adjudicate the case. Neither the issue saying he had been traveled to and fro to Singapore 18 times during the case proceeded. “The Supreme Court’s ethic board had already examined my passport. At that time, I was only flied once to Singapore. I also heard the issue saying I would    be called by the Judicial Commission. Until now, I never called by them. I believe the proverb saying ‘God’s help is close, particularly for those who defamed’,”     he explained

 

Comfortably Being Ordinary Man

Suhartoyo’s modest attitude makes him less dependent on position. According   to him, Constitutional Justice  is  a  high  position  and  uncomfortable  due  to  the abundant facility Constitutional Justice get. “I am comfortable with being ordinary,” said him.

Regarding his family support, Suhartoyo explained that his children thought on why being Constitutional Justice when controversies surrounded his candidacy.

“When I was condemned during the candidacy, my children thought on why  being Constitutional Justice if my dignity abused. ‘Better to be ordinary person’, said my children back then,” said him.

Whereas, he hoped his existence as the complement of Constitutional Justice’s nine pillar could fulfill justice that sought by justice  seekers.  “I  served  for fulfilling justice seekers’ justice,” said him