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The Constitutional Court (MK) held the release of former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Moh. Mahfud MD and welcomes Arief Hidayat, on Monday (1/4) in the Hall of Constitutional Court. With the handover, it was officially ended Mahfud MD tenure has been adopting since the 2008.

In his last speech as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Mahfud thanked Constitutional Court family. For him, the time he spent five years with the Constitutional Court is a time of family fun.

"The impression for me pleases all, all the facilities, if my needs are met. Terms of facilities, can directly call the Secretary General. If it’s the case, just call the Registrar. Looks like it’s also the convenience of care to be friends and others," said Mahfud who have carried out their duties supersede Constitutional Justice Ahmad Roestandi.

Mahfud said his pride that never fades is the independence of the Constitutional Court as a judicial institution. According to Mahfud, the Court cannot be suppressed by any kind of authority, public opinion through the mass media, to NGOs. He also admitted never dictate other constitutional judges.

"What I’m proud of the Court because the Court has a strong independence. It cannot be suppressed by the authorities as high as any, public opinion in the media, or from NGOs. That must be maintained. I also never dictate a judge in the opinion. I’m just protecting the rights of judges to issue opinions. I have always been proud of the Constitutional Court," said Mahfud who has twice served as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

Finally, Mahfud hopes that the Constitutional Court to maintain its independence, despite a lot of pressure. He also advised that the Court clerks still work honestly and well. "Work is good and honest. But remember any dishonesty there is no comfort. God will give comfort to us if you could be honest," he explained.

Meanwhile, Arief Hidayat have been passed through a fit and proper test by the House of Representatives Commission III, revealing not has grandiose aspirations after serving as Professor and Chairman of the Master of Legal Studies Program, Diponegoro University. He adhered to the speech Prof. Satjipto Raharjo who said as a lecturer, is the highest position as a dean. "I’ve finished as a dean, so I do not have an ideal grandiose," he explained.

He also thanked all those who support him to "move on" to the Court until finally he was able to stand up as one part of the MK. For one expert in Constitutional Law, the Court is not unfamiliar institution. "I was often a guest speaker at the events and the trial Court, so I do not feel strange," he said.

In addition, he is ready to maintain the independence of the Court. He also called for all parties to participate in supervising the performance as a constitutional judge.

Arief Hidayat is one candidate who undergoes fit and proper test (fit and proper test) performed Commission II on Monday (4/3) then. Of the total 48 members of Commission III of the House of Representatives who participated in the voting, 42 members of Commission III to drop the voice that carries Arief paper entitled "Principles in Court Decision of Ultra Petita Related judicial review against the 1945 Act" in the fit and proper test.

After the reading of the prayer in separate welcomed constitutional judges, looked Mahfud meet and greet all employees of the Constitutional Court who stand in a circle one by one on the 2nd floor Court building. Mahfud then came out and greeted elements of society in the courtyard of the Court.

Goodbye Prof Mahfud and did not stop to serve the nation and the state. Welcome Prof. Arief. (Lulu Anjarsari / mh)

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