Remarks by Ambassador Blake at the Opening Ceremony of Judicial Cooperation Event, Jakarta
Selamat pagi. Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like to thank Chief Justice Hatta Ali and Associate Justice Takdir Rahmadi who have kindly invited me to attend this important event this morning.
I would also like to acknowledge and welcome the delegation from the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Cambodia led by Deputy Director General of Court Administration Mr. Seang Kung.
I am very pleased to deliver remarks and show our high level support for this program which is part of the U.S.-Indonesia South-South Triangular Cooperation program
Former Foreign Minister Natalegawa and Secretary Kerry signed an MOU on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in 2014 as a vehicle to deepen and elevate bilateral relations between the U.S. and Indonesia and help Indonesia share lessons and best practices from its own transition to the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy.
By working together, the world’s second and third largest democracies have forged a new partnership to learn from each other and share ideas and best practices with others.
Just a few months ago in June, we were pleased to partner with the Government of Indonesia in organizing an international workshop on democracy and good governance for participants from several nations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa who expressed interest to the Government of Indonesia in seeing how some of the more challenging aspects of managing good governance have played out here over the past 15 years.
Today, we are proud to support this event along with the Indonesian Supreme Court and the Cambodian Ministry of Justice.
The U.S. government, through USAID, is proud to partner with the Indonesian Supreme Court in supporting this one-week study visit for the Cambodian delegation to learn about justice reform in Indonesia. Of particular interest will be Indonesia’s experience in improving court transparency and performance through the use of information technology in court administration reform.
Institutional transparency and efficient and effective management are hallmarks of good governance. Transparent access to timely and accurate court information increases the public’s trust and confidence in the courts.
Access to accurate and timely information also strengthens the court’s supervision and management. Without reliable data, courts cannot deliver timely justice, control or monitor their own operations, or explain their operations to citizens.
Through reforms in case management, Indonesian citizens now can expect both greater transparency and efficiency in the overall operation of the courts, and this will eventually lead to a greater confidence in the Indonesian judicial system.
You will hear and witness more about this impressive reform in the coming days during your visit here in Jakarta, Bandung and Ciawi.
I commend the Supreme Court’s initiative to tackle challenges to improve management of the courts. The U.S. Government, through USAID, is pleased to partner with the Government of Indonesia to support the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen democracy through increased transparency and accountability.
I wish you a successful and fruitful visit.
Thank you. Terima kasih!
As prepared.
