Amir Syamsuddin
Amir Syamsuddin (born 27 May 1941) is the former Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Indonesia.
Amir Syamsuddin | |
|---|---|
 Amir in 2011 | |
| 29th Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Indonesia | |
| In office 19 October 2011 – 20 October 2014 | |
| President | Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono |
| Deputy | Denny Indrayana |
| Preceded by | Patrialis Akbar |
| Succeeded by | Yasonna Laoly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 May 1941 Makassar, Dutch East Indies |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of Indonesia |
Biography
Amir was born in Makassar, Dutch East Indies, on 27 May 1941[1] to Andi Bulaeng Dg Nipati.[2] He graduated with a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Indonesia in 1983,[2] later earning a doctorate from the same university.[1]
In 1983, Amir founded Amir Syamsuddin Law Offices and Partners.[1] He later founded Acemark, an intellectual property firm.[3]
In 2003, Amir represented former Golkar chairman and Speaker of the People's Representative Council Akbar Tanjung when he was charged with corruption.[1] Tanjung was eventually acquitted by the Supreme Court of Indonesia.[1] He also represented the magazine Tempo when it was sued by Probosutedjo.[2] By 2011 Amir was serving as secretary of the Democratic Party's ethics council.[4]
On 19 October 2011, Amir, then serving on the board of advisers to the Democratic Party, was selected as Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Indonesia,[1] ceasing his legal practice.[3] He replaced Patrialis Akbar amidst rumours of corruption in the justice system;[5] Patrialis welcomed the appointment.[6] Following his appointment, Amir stated that he intended to end the practice of giving convicted corruptors and terrorists cuts to their sentences.[7][8]
Reception
Teten Masduki of Transparency International Indonesia welcomed Amir's appointment, saying that he had "made a good first impression"; however, Masduki cautioned that Syamsuddin would have to follow through on his promises.[8] The Jakarta Post reported the former Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra as "warning" that ending sentence cuts for corruptors and terrorists "might violate human rights and the principle of equal treatment for prisoners".[8]
Personal life
Amir has seven children.[2] He has cited lawyer Suardi Tasrif as an inspiration towards becoming a lawyer.[2]
References
- Footnotes
- The Jakarta Post 2011, Who's who in the new.
- TokohIndonesia.com 2011, Pawang Integritas Kemenkum.
- Acemark 2011, Acemark Update.
- Saragih 2011, No need to question.
- Parlina 2011, Law and Human Rights.
- The Jakarta Globe 2011, Meet the Six New.
- Rastika and Joewono 2011, Inilah Prioritas Kerja.
- Saragih 2011, New law minister.
- Bibliography
- "Acemark Update" (PDF). Jakarta: Acemark. October 2011. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- "Meet the Six New Ministerial Candidates". The Jakarta Globe. Jakarta. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- Parlina, Ina (19 October 2011). "Law and Human Rights Ministry to see new minister today". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- "Pawang Integritas Kemenkum dan HAM" [The Guardian of the Integrity of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights]. TokohIndonesia.com (in Indonesian). 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- Rastika, Icha; Joewono, Benny N (19 October 2011). "Inilah Prioritas Kerja Amir Syamsuddin" [These are Amir Syamsuddin's Work Priorities]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- Saragih, Bagus BT (21 October 2011). "New law minister told to be thorough in banning remissions". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- Saragih, Bagus BT (21 July 2011). "No need to question Anas, Dems' ethics council says". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- "Who's who in the new lineup". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.