Lentera Harapan Elementary School (Sekolah Dasar Lentera Harapan) Tangerang was visiting the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi –MK), Monday March 9. Photo PR/Ganie  

A total of 63 grade 4 students of Lentera Harapan Elementary School (Sekolah Dasar Lentera Harapan), Tangerang with four accompanying teachers were visited the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi –MK). Their visit was welcomed by the Head of Research and Case Assessment (Kepala Bidang Penelitian dan Pengkajian Perkara) of the MK, Wiryanto. At the same occasion, Wiryanto also delivered materials about the history and the authority of the MK. The students and teachers were also visited Constitution Center (Pusat Konstitusi –Puskon) on 5^th and 6^th Floor of the MK Building.

Starting the presentation, Wiryanto with his friendly nature greeted and asked whether the students who present at this event have been to the MK. Wiryanto’s question was answered by the students with enthusiasm, "Never, sir. It is my first time. "

However, the students indeed answered that they already knew about the MK, although never visited. The students in blue and white with checkered pattern uniform replied innocently that they knew the MK via television.

Improving students’ knowledge, Wiryanto said that the MK is one of the judicial power institutions. The man who called as Pak Wir was also explained although the MK and the Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung –MA) are equally judicial power institutions but both have different authority. One of the Constitutional Court authorities is conducting judicial review on Acts toward the 1945 Constitution (Undang Undang Dasar 1945 –UUD 1945) that the Verdict is final and binding. It means, after the proceedings in the MK completed and decided by the Court then appeal (upaya banding) cannot be made.

The authority of the MK explained by Wiryanto is must be implemented by the Constitutional Judge that consists of nine judges. Wiryanto is also delivered the composition of the Constitutional Judge that derived from the House of Representatives’ (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat –DPR), the Supreme Court’s, and the President’s elements. He was also mentioned the names of the Constitutional Judge consist of nine people added with original institution they were from. The students were enthusiastic noted in a book “Constitutional Awareness” (Kesadaran Berkonstitusi) given by the MK as an additional material. "You can write down the name of Chief Justice; Professor Arief Hidayat, Deputy Chief Justice is Doctor Anwar Usman, "said Wiryanto to students who noted with great interest until approaching the television screen that displayed the material.

Wiryanto was also stated the date of birth of the Constitutional Court is on August 13, 2003. "It was still the era of reformation. So this year the Court has been 12 years of age. How old are you? Younger than the MK, right? Later you can see more complete information (about the MK) in MK Constitutional Center (Pusat Konstitusi MK –Puskon MK), "said Wiryanto friendly. The students were eagerly lined up directly towards Puskon that located on 5^th and 6^th Floor of the MK Building. (Yusti Nurul Agustin/Prasetyo Adi N)