Medal for Artidjo

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Artidjo Alkostar

The government has posthumously awarded the Bintang Mahaputra Adipradana medal to Chief Justice Artidjo Alkostar. The medal presentation was held on Thursday, 12 Aug. 2021.

Besides Artidjo, around 300 other individuals were awarded the Bintang Mahaputra medal. Awarding the medal to Artidjo is proper not only because of his final position as chairman of the Supreme Court’s criminal division and a member on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) supervisory board. Artidjo deserves the award, even to be buried in the Heroes Cemetery, precisely because of his integrity and contributions to eliminating corruption in this country.

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Incidentally, the presentation of the Bintang Mahaputra this year coincided with the anniversary of Mohammad Hatta’s birthday on 12 Aug. 1902. Hatta was known as a clean figure of high integrity. His name is enshrined in the Bung Hatta Anti-Corruption Award. Hatta could have used his high position for personal gains, but neither Hatta nor Artidjo abused the luxury of their positions, not even to buy a pair of Bally shoes.

It is this very integrity of Artidjo and Hatta that is missing from this republic. Among a political elite that likes to show off their luxury lifestyles, with their empty speeches, Artidjo and Hatta were figures who differed from the sweeping currents of the contemporary trend of political behavior of today.

He wanted to use his gavel to give justice to the public and make the country better.

Artidjo used to feel alienated at the Supreme Court. He felt isolated from his surroundings at work. Artidjo was a figure who imbued each decision so they benefited the country by helping to keep it clean of corruption, because he believed that corruption impoverishes the country and widens the social gap. He wanted to use his gavel to give justice to the public and make the country better.

Kompas

Bung Hatta\'s two daughters, Halida Hatta (left) and Meutia Hatta, flanking the winner of the 2015 Bung Hatta Anti Corruption Award, the Regent of Batang for the 2012-2017 period, Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo and the Mayor of Surabaya for the 2010-2015 period, Tri Rismaharini in Jakarta, Thursday (5/11/2015).

This nation has several great figures. Artidijo Alkostar, Mohammad Hatta, Hoegeng Imam Santosa, Yap Thiam Hien, and Agus Salim are clean leaders of the nation. But the question is, why does this nation only remember its great figures and not emulate their behavior?

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We quote here a memo Hoegeng sent to National Police Chief Gen. Widodo “Wid” Budidarmo in 1977, who wrote: "Wid, how come the police are now rich? Where did that money come from? As a former National Police chief, I am really disturbed and embarrassed by this [issue]." In his book, Oase Menyejukkan di Tengah Perilaku Koruptif Para Pemimpin Bangsa (Soothing oasis amidst the corrupt behavior of the nation\'s leaders), Hoegeng says: "Complete assignments with honesty, because we can eat salted rice."

There was also lawyer Yap Thiam Hien, who boldly stated: "If you want to win the case, don\'t choose me as your lawyer because we will certainly lose. But if you are satisfied with finding your truth, then I want to be your defender."

They were figures who were consistent: One word, one deed. It is an extreme contrast to the current condition of contemporary spirituality when justice and truth are transacted, when officers of the law equally pollute the spring of justice.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).