Head of Constitutional Court Research, Study, and Library centre Wiryanto, welcomed National Library’s librarian visit, Tuesday (11/25). In the visit, Wiryanto explained the Court duties and authorities. He said Constitutional Court was established after 1945 Constitution amendment, came into effect to magnify check and balance mechanism between power holders.

Moreover, Wiryanto said that the Constitution has adjudicated MK as one of the judicial holders, its competence is separated to the Supreme Court. One of the differences is that the former is competent to review Act upon Constitution while the later review below Act bill. “The Act adjudicates separation between Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, so both competences won’t be overlapping,” Wiryanto said.   

He also stated that Constitutional Court in late 2013 has annulled a Lieu of Law in which Constitutional Justice recruitment was considered violating the Constitution. The lieu of law itself was issued after Akil Mochtar’s media frenzy case. “In decision, the court deemed lieu of law has trespassed the Constitution. The lieu of law stated that Constitutional Justice recruitment must involve expert panel formed by Judicial Commission to examine the Justice candidate as proposed by the Supreme Court, DPR, and President. This provision was condemned trespassing the Constitution, thus MK must annul the lieu of law,” he said.    

Closing his explanation, Wiryanto said, as judicial body, Constitutional Court comply the function as constitution guarantor. “Act bill as legal product generated by lawmaker is packed with political interest, it is necessary that such institution like Constitutional Court existed as final interpreter over Act,” he retained.(Julie/kun)