Around 50 students of Bunda Mulia University Jakarta accompanied by their lecturers visited the Constitutional Court on Tuesday (28/6). The students of Bunda Mulia University were welcomed by the Constitutional Justice, Prof. A. Mukthie Fadjar, SH., MS. and the Head of Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of the Constitutional Court, Agus Prawoto.

Emilia Bassar, the companion lecture as well as the group leader said that although they all come from Communication Studies background, their awareness and curiosity on the constitution and the constitutional court have encouraged them to pay a visit to the Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, Justice Mukthie Fadjar gave his appreciation to the visit by the students of Communication Study and said that although Communication has no direct relation to the Constitutional Court, the existence of the Constitutional Court has also provided a benefit for Communication practitioners. “For instance, there was a Petitioner who filed a petition for judicial review of the Broadcasting Law.” he gave an example.

On the same occasion, Justice Mukthie Fadjar also explained about the establishment background as well as the authorities of the Constitutional Court. According to Mukhtie, reform has indirectly become one of the basis for the establishment of the Constitutional Court. Reform has motivated the amendment to the 1945 Constitution that had thus far been considered sacred. The amendment has brought about the distribution of powers into the executive power, the legislative, and the judicial. “Well, the Constitutional Court has been established to implement the checks and balance mechanism toward such powers,” he explained.

Furthermore, Justice Mukthie Fadjar described that although the Constitutional Court belongs to the judicial power, its authorities are different from those of the Supreme Court in the domain of courts of general jurisdiction. The Constitutional Court serves the function as the guardian of the constitution whereas one of its authorities is to conduct judicial review of laws considered contradictory to the 1945 Constitution that can be filed by every citizen. “The purpose is that the 1945 Constitution will be no longer regarded merely as a beautiful text but can be implemented in the life of every citizen,” he said.

Mukhtie also added that as a court, the Constitutional Court cannot actively conduct judicial review of a law without any party filing a petition although the Law is considered to have impaired the citizens. Thus, it is important for every citizen to be aware of their constitutional rights that currently have been guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. (Ardli)