President Suharto Succeeded by Suryono Religion Sunni Islam | Preceded by Ali Said Citizenship Indonesian Died 4 May 2005 | |
Purwoto Gandasubrata was the eighth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia. Alongside the Ministry of Justice officials in the Sixth Development Cabinet, Gandasubrata was a part of a general return of civilian officials to the judiciary of Indonesia in the early 1990s after a period of former military officials dominating the branch from the late 1970s. Gandasubrata had initially served as the chief of the district court of Semarang, as well as the chairman of the regional branch of the Indonesian Judges Association.
Gandasubrata was the first Chief Justice appointed from the professional judiciary since Umar Seno Aji. During his two years in the position, much of his efforts were spent on attempts to increase the autonomy, power and status of the judicial branch of government. On the occasion of his retirement in 1994, Gandasubrata announced a 100% salary increase for Indonesian judges in a move that was seen as a parting gift. The increase was later offset by a 45% reduction in benefits enacted by the government.