Indonesian Chief Justice Demoted for Ethics Breach Favoring President's Son's VP Run
Top judge Anwar Usman, brother-in-law of President Joko Widodo, is urged to resign as he remains on court bench despite being removed as chief justice over conflict of interest findings.
- Indonesia's Constitutional Court Chief Justice Anwar Usman, also the brother-in-law of President Joko Widodo, was demoted after an ethics panel found him guilty of breach of ethics through his involvement in a ruling that favored Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's eldest son.
- Despite the demotion, Usman remains a member of the court's nine judges and only has restrictions on cases where he might have conflicts of interest.
- The controversial decision, in a 5-4 vote, removed the minimum age requirement of 40 years, thus enabling 36-year-old Raka to run for vice president alongside Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto.
- Usman's ruling has faced criticism for its potential to undermine the democratic process, with allegations of nepotism and political dynasty creation, as President Widodo is nearing the completion of his second and final term.
- Although critics have accused Widodo himself of interfering in the court's decision, he has refused to respond to these allegations.
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