Akil Mochtar’s case of October, 2013 is the most recent development of a high profile case of corruption in Indonesia’s judiciary. Mochtar who held office for the Chief Justice of Mahkamah Konstitusi (MK), an Indonesian constitutional court, has been accused in a bribery scandal.

Mochtar has been accused with accepting bribe of about Rp 3 billion (USD 261,000), which was confiscated together with a Toyota Fortuner from his Jakarta home. This accusation is associated with  the Gunung Mas election dispute. In wake of the charges, Mochtar has been suspended from office and was arrested on 2nd October. Mochtar was also tested for drug usage as a few drugs were recovered from his office during his arrest search, but he tested negative.

The case highlights corruption in one of the most powerful institutions of Indonesia. As pointed out by President Yudhoyono, MK plays a key role in administrating the country, hence corruption in such institution can pose a serious risk to democracy in Indonesia. Finding drugs in an office of high repute also raises concerns to the types and levels of moral among such officials