The Constitutional Court held a hearing for the judicial review of Law Number 32 Year 2004 regarding Regional Government (Regional Government Law) against the 1945 Constitution, on Tuesday May 15, 2007 at 10.00 WIB in the court room of the Constitutional Court, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat Number 7, Central Jakarta. The Plenary Session scheduled for the hearing of statements of the People’s Legislative Assembly, the government, and the Expert from the Petitioner was adjourned by the Chairperson of the Panel of Constitutional Justices Prof. Jimly Asshidiqie, S.H. after taking place for 15 minutes due to the absence of the Expert from the Petitioner and the representative of the People’s Legislative Assembly, who had been arranged to provide their statements.

The case number 5/PUU-V/2007 was filed by a member of the Regional People’s Legislative Assembly of Lombok Regency Lalu Ranggalawe who granted the power of attorney to Suriahadi, S.H., and Edy Gunawan, S.H. In his petitum, the Petitioner asked the Panel of Constitutional Justices to declare Article 56 Paragraph 2, Article 59 Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5 Sub-Paragraph a, Paragraph 5 Sub-Paragraph c, Paragraph 6, and Article 60 Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, and Paragraph 5 contradictory to the 4^th Paragraph of the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution, Article 18 Paragraph (4), Article 27 Paragraph (1), Article 28 Paragraphs (1) and (3) as well as to declare that Article 28I Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution does not have binding legal force.

In the prior hearing (23/04/07), the Petitioner conveyed his opinion that the Regional Government Law has limited the opportunity and the freedom of candidates for Regional Head who are not nominated by political parties. Aside from that, the Petitioner considered that up until now, regional head election has not, actually, reflected the interest of the general public. (yoga)