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The face of Indonesian Constitutional Court Chief Justice Prof. Dr. Moh. Mahfud MD SH turned bright when Erwan Widyarto, Editor-in-Chief of Radar Jogja threw out the idea to print special pages titled “Generasi Konstitusi” (Constitution Generation) once a week. “That s a good idea, we will support that,” said Mahfud.

Mahfud visit to editor s office of Radar Jogja, Wednesday 19th November 2008, was the first visit to the office of the newspaper belongs to Jawa Pos group, after becoming the Chief Justice. However, it did not mean that he was unfamiliar with the staffs. Mahfud was even close to each journalist.

Mahfud had a personal closeness with Radar Jogja for a long time. One of the reasons was because Mahfud often became the source for news since he was a lecturer. His articles still often appeared in the newspaper. Therefore, the last meeting was a meeting as two mates longing for each other.

To Mahfud, Ariono Lestari, General Manager of Radar Jogja Group explained Radar Jogja new idea to publish special pages with the theme on constitution. The section was temporarily named “Generasi Konstitusi” (Constitution Generation). “This is a development from the section Obrolan Konstitusi (Constitution Chat) which had gone for two months, a result of cooperation between Radar Jogja and Constitution and Law Study Center of Indonesian Islamic University,” told Ariono.

According to Ariono, since the first edition, the Constitution Chat question-answer section received many responses from the readers. “We receive so many letters with various questions. Interestingly, most letters came from Students and University students,” explained Ariono.

Those responses inspired Ariono and Erwan Widyarto to elaborate more on the Constitutional Chat to make Constitution Generation, a four pages section inserted once a week. “This will be done by students and University students with journalism ability and interested in the development of constitution in Indonesia,” said Ariono.

Because of the numerous pages, the columns would be made various. “There will be main reportage concerning hot issues in constitution. There will be a review on books about law and constitution, question-answer column, free articles and correspondence part for members of Constitution Generation club,” continued Erwan while showing the dummy of the new pages.

“The initiative to develop constitutional life from the people is what we are hoping for. This is also an emphasize that people s attention on the life of constitution is not only shown at the growing number of students taking constitutional law program at the university, but it has also expanded to the mass media management. The Constitutional Court really supports this effort,” replied Mahfud.

In a short future, the Constitutional Court would send a collection of constitutional-themed books for feedings in Radar Books Club discussion, a book-worm community which prepared weekly discussion and facilitated by one-page section in Radar Jogja. “This is a form of support from the Constitutional Court to facilitate people initiatives to socialize the concept of constitutional life in Indonesia,” continued Mahfud.

“Later, we will combine this program with a program in Malioboro TV after it has been aired,” continued Adib Lazwar, General Manager of Malioboro TV (MBO TV) which was preparing broadcasting trials.

Hans Seidel Foundation Support
Doctor Ulrich Klingshirn, Director of Indonesian Hans Seidel Foundation, stated his commitment of support on Radar Jogja plan to publish special pages on Constitution Generation. “This is a good idea. We are ready to cooperate,” committed Ulrich also attending the informal discussion with editors of Radar Jogja together with Mahfud.

Ulrich, chairing Hans Seidel Foundation, an NGO in developing democratic society, told that at the moment his organization had cooperation with people s organizations to give education on democracy in the grass root level, on the basis of villages. “This program is along side with our institution s aim,” said Ulrich in good Indonesian language.

In short future, Ulrich would also send books published by his institution as references for Radar Jogja and book discussions of Radar Books Club. “There are some books having been published in Bahasa Indonesia, some others are still in foreign languages,” explained Ulrich.

According to him, it was about time for Jogja to have a media offering special section on Constitution. It was because Jogja was known as city of education with many great thinkers. By the existence of such media, those thinkers would have greater forum to educate people. “Come to my office in Jakarta to discuss the kinds of support needed,” invited Ulrich. (Joko Intarto/MKTV)

Photo: Doc. MK PR/Yoga Adiputra
Translated by Yogi Djatnika / MK

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