The Constitutional Court launched its latest facility, video conference, Thursday (18/12), in the Court s Plenary Room. This facility was aimed at improving the long-distant trial process within the Court, as well as creating transparency and accountability.

“By this facility, we are trying to simplify people s access to justice and judicial institutions. Consequently, the distance is no longer a barrier,” explained the Secretary General of the Constitutional Court, Janedjri M. Gaffar.

For that reason the video conference facility was also supported by online case management system, and online law information centre. As explained by the Chief Justice of the Court, Moh. Mahfud MD in his opening speech, “The launching of the video conference is the continuation from sets of information technology applied and developed by the Court to create transparency and accountability in constitutional court.”

Mahfud also explained that the implementation of this facility was aimed at providing information service in a quick and less expensive way for the people.  It could also be seen as a mean of control for the Constitutional Court. “By reading-out the stipulation in an direct and open way in front of public, moreover it can be accessed through the website within minutes, then there will be no more opportunity for anybody to manipulate law. Suspension in handing over the copy of the Court s decision might be used for manipulation. That is why, this video conference facility becomes our bet on transparency and accountability,” he exclaimed.

Speaking about the pros and the cons about the decision of the Court, Mahfud explained that his party did not troubled over reactions that might appear, “In fact before becoming justices, we even criticized the decisions of the Court,” said Mahfud humorously. However, Mahfud promised that Constitutional Justices would never make a decision based on order, pressure, moreover, collusion and bribery. Because once a justice make a decision based on order, then the justice will be made hostage in the next cases.

“In this point, we, Constitutional Justices, declared to keep our integrity and be very careful (in making decision),” promised Mahfud.

Teleconference and Constitutional Debate Final
In this event, Mahfud also conducted a teleconference call with civitas academia of Hasanuddin University, North Sumatra University, Sebelas Maret State University in front of other civitas academia from 34 Law Facility in Universities throughout Indonesia in cooperation with the Court for the management of the facility. Besides that, the event also held the final stage of Constitution Debate and ended by distributing rewards and trophy to the winners. Team from North Sumatra University and Padjadjaran University sat as Third place winner. Second place winner went to Brawijaya University Team. Lastly, the team from Gadjah Mada University was crowned as Winner and deserved to keep Chief Justice Trophy for a year after beating other teams from 23 Universities. (Kencana Suluh Hikmah)

Photo: Doc. MK PR/Ardli N

Translated by Yogi Djatnika / MK