---

Harjono Constitutional Court received a visit from the 55-person delegations of the Constitutional Court of Thailand, Tuesday (5/3). The delegation, which consisted of a number of academics in law and judicial institutions are led by senior Thai Court Judge, Chalermpon AKE-URU.

Starting the event, Harjono expressed his welcome and an apology for the group of Constitutional Court of Thailand cannot be accepted by the Chief Justice Moh. Mahfud MD. "Welcome. I believe this group consists of key people in Thailand. We are ready to serve the required information about the MOJ. And, sorry Chairman MK could not come because there is an interest that cannot be abandoned," said Harjono opened the meeting.

Chalermpon also thanked because it was well received by Constitutional Court. Chalermpon were explained to his entourage that Constitutional Court of Republic of Indonesia (MKRI) is the second in Southeast Asia. In addition, Chalermpon said that MKRI has an important role in the lives of constitutional law in Indonesia.

After introducing ourselves to each other, delegates are invited to submit questions to Harjono. The delegates were enthusiastically asking various things about constitutional court in Indonesia through a translator and directly expressed in English.

Responding to questions from the delegates, Harjono answered one of the questions posted to him. Harjono more frequently expressed his statement using fluent English, though occasionally he also asked for an interpreter to communicate in Thai.

The first question to be answered is about budgeting. Harjono explained that the Constitutional Court does not have jurisdiction to determine the various forms of financing. Those entitled to set about it is the Secretary General of the Constitutional Court with the approval of Parliament. "The Constitutional Court is the judicial institution. Thus, the existing budget is a budget to carry out the activities of the Constitutional Court," said Harjono.

Besides of that, Harjono also answered questions about the composition of the judges in the Constitutional Court. Harjono Indonesia explained that the constitutional judges of nine people. The nine were from three different institutions. The three judges selected by the President, three judges selected by the Supreme Court (MA), and three others elected by the Parliament.

The nine judges when it becomes constitutional judges have no connection whatsoever with the chosen institution. In other words, constitutional judges in Indonesia have an independent attitude.

Harjono also took time to answer questions about the authority of MKRI. Harjono conveyed authorities and an obligation. The authority referred to, namely to decide disputes dispute election results, test legislation against the Constitution of 1945, the authority to decide disputes state agency whose authority granted by the 1945 Constitution, and the dissolution of political parties. While the obligation of the Court, which shall make a decision on the opinion of the House that the President and / or Vice-President is alleged to have violated the law in the form of treason against the state, corruption, bribery, or behave abominably that no longer qualify as president and or vice president.

"Constitutional Court decision shall be final and binding. So after a case is terminated, there is no legal action that can be taken. Of all the powers and obligations of the Court, there are two that the Court did not decide the impeachment and dissolve political parties," said Harjono which also explains the Court often asked to give a constitutional interpretation of a law is being reviewed.

At the end of the meeting, Chalermpon stated that in principle there is no fundamental difference between the Constitutional Court in Indonesia and Thailand. "The difference, Court in Thailand does not have the authority to decide disputes of impeachment and elections," said Chalermpon.

Additionally Chalermpon said constitutional judges in the Constitutional Court of nine people also Thailand. Only, nine constitutional judges Thailand do not have a balanced composition when viewed from the institution of origin. (Yusti Nurul Agustin / mh)

---