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Students of the 2015 United States-Indonesia Partnership Program visited the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia –MKRI) on Tuesday (23/6) at Ground Floor Hall, the Constitutional Court Building. Photo PR/Ganie

 

 

Twelve students of the 2015 United States-Indonesia Partnership Program (USIPP) visited the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia –MKRI) on Tuesday (23/6).The students –consisted of 6 Indonesian students and 6 United States students– visited the Court for achieving better understanding on constitutional implementation in Indonesia and its relation to pluralism and democratic life.

The student were accompanied by seven officials and welcomed by Court’s Researcher Helmi Kasim. At the occasion, Helmi explained material about Court Verdict which related to pluralism. One of them was recent Court Verdict regarding judicial review on Act of Marriage which issued interfaith marriage. Helmi also explained the content of Verdict Number 68/PUU-XII/2014 which basically stated regulation on marriage validity under religion rules didn’t contrary to the Constitution.

“The students are very enthusiast listening key speaker explanation because the material is related to the program theme; democratic life and pluralism. Almost all of them asking to the key speaker,” said 5^th Term USIPP Program Official Sisilana Diah.

After listening to Helmi explanation, the students which from Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Airlangga, Lehigh University, University of Michigan and Towson University AS took a visit to Court’s Constitutional History Center (Pusat Sejarah Konstitusi Mahkamah Konstitusi–Puskon MK). Their visit on the Center located on 5^th and 6^th floor of the Constitutional Court Building was welcomed by Court’s Official Immanuel Bungkulan Binsar Hutasoit as guide.

While guiding the students, Immanuel explained several history of Indonesia. The man who often called Noel was explained early period of Indonesia independence until the Reform movement. At the Reform Zone, Noel explained that the Constitutional Court was established during Reform era. At that time, the idea of Constitutional Court establishment arose as a result of third amendment of the 1945 Constitution.

When Noel explained ‘sacred room’ on 16^th floor in which the access of the room was limited, the students were curiously asked “What are they (the Justices, red) doing there?”

Noel explained that the room was Justices’ Consultative Meeting Room which only accessible for Constitutional Justices and related officials. In the room, the Justices deliberated on court proceedings and took verdict on cases. Limited access of the room will provide Verdict confidentiality. At last, the students watched documentary movie at the Constitutional Court Cinema. (Yusti Nurul Agustin/Prasetyo Adi N)  

 

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