Chief Justice Arief Hidayat opened National Constitutional Debate Competition among university students on Sunday (14/6) at Center of Pancasila Building (Gedung Pusdik), Cisarua Bogor. Photo PR/Ifa

The Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi –MK) hosted 2015 national constitutional debate constitution. The event was regular event which hosted by the Court annually. The event held for three days, June 14—17, 2015 at Center of Pancasila and Constitution of the Constitutional Court (Pusat Pendidikan Pancasila dan Konstitusi Mahkamah Konstitusi), Cisarua Bogor. 

The event was opened officially by Chief Justice Arief Hidayat speech. In his speech, Arief said the debate competition was increased its reputation. It became most expected event for law students. “Each university debate team is willing to participate and win this competition. I recognize this positive trend that the competition became the main activity for several universities. It showed, the competition has contributed to the strengthening of scientific tradition and culture in university,” he asserted.

Moreover Arief added, every team could gain important learning rather than just a matter of win or lose. “Debate competition with high level is certainly very rich of learning. It is not just learning on constitutional material, but also learning on strategy and method of critical thinking as well as courageousness of speaking out original ideas coherently, accurately, and ethically. Thus, I always been interested and appreciated constitutional education activities such as this debate constitution,” he explained.

As the agreement of entire nation, there is no slightest loophole to avoid the obligation to obey and implement the Constitution, despite the growing view of good and bad, and agree and disagree towards the content of Constitution. “The Constitution should work as the highest law. The legislation and government policies should align to the Constitution. The Constitution should not only regard as ceremonial and aspirational document. This is known as the principle of law constitutionality,” Arief added.

Constitutional Court commitment

Previously, Secretary General of Constitutional Court Janedjri M. Gaffar delivered report on the implementation of constitutional debate competition. Janedjri said the debate constitution was based on an idea that universities were the strategic element in developing democracy and national law. “In addition, the debate competition is an important part of Constitutional Court attempt and commitment to participate in improving law education quality, particularly for shaping university students to be more competent and master constitutional theory and concept. It is mandatory for law faculties to provide opportunity for its students in order to sharpen their psychomotor ability,” he explained.

In the end of his report, Janedjri hoped the debate constitution could run smooth and gave beneficial learning to entire finalist. “We hope the event could give concrete contribution for manifesting the understanding of the 1945 Constitution for entire communities, particularly for university students,” said him while closed the speech. (Dedy/Prasetyo Adi N)