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Students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga of Yogyakarta visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Monday (12/12). Their arrival was received by Abdul Goffar, MK researcher who also provides enlightenment through a short lecture about the background of the establishment of the Constitutional Court and other related matters.

Abdul Goffar explained the background also influenced the formation of MK 1998 reform. One of the demands of reform is to create a country that is not authoritarian. It is based on the reign of President a few years ago, as President Soekarno and President Suharto, who in the end tend to be authoritarian rule.

"During the 25 years leading, Bung Karno was initially very democratic, but at the end of his post even authoritarian. Similarly, Pak Harto, who led Indonesia for 32 years, at first very democratic, but then also become authoritarian, "explained Goffar.

It is said Goffar, the existence of authoritarian rule in Indonesia, because it is justified in theory that power tends to be abused. Including the absolute power, would bring even greater abuse.

"Absolute power was justified by the 1945 Constitution. Model of the state system before the 1945 changes, sovereignty is in the hands of the people and carried out entirely by the Assembly. As stated in Article 2 Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution before the 1945 changes, "said Goffar.

Goffar continued, before the 1998 reform, the powers granted one hundred percent of the people through elections, given also one hundred percent to the President. Furthermore, in practice the President to distribute power to the DPA, the Parliament and to the higher institutions of other nations.

"Whereas the President should be level with the DPR, MPR, CPC, and other high state institutions," said Goffar.

But in reality, since the President holds the mandate of the MPR, he holds one hundred percent of the power which is then distributed to other institutions. That’s what happened during the time of President Soekarno and President Suharto.

In addition, continued Goffar, Article 10 UUD 1945 before the 1945 changes to mentioning "the Supreme Commander in Indonesia is the President". In the context of the baton, whose name the military remains a single command. Automatically, which determines the members of the Armed Forces become members of the Assembly is the President.

Goffar further explained as meaning living constitution, as ‘a living constitution’.

"This is what our thoughts then clung together, whether Indonesia has a constitution a living? The purpose of the living constitution is a constitution that can adjust the time, the constitution is not everlasting, a constitution that can be enforced, "he said.(Nano Tresna A. / mh/Yazid.tr)

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