The Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi –MK) holds second judicial review session on Act Number 6 Year 2014 of Villages (UU Desa) with agenda revision examination on Wednesday (18/11) at Plenary Room, the Constitutional Court Building. As known, the Indonesian Village Authorities Association (Asosiasi Perangkat Desa Seluruh Indonesia –APDESI) file petition reviewing Article 33 letter g and Article 50 (1) letter a and letter c Act a quo which regulate the requirement of village head and village authority candidates.

On the session, the Applicant says that they had revised petition registered in Case Number 128/PUU-XIII/2015 in accordance with Justice Panel’s input. Regarding legal standing, the Applicant changes their legal standing into public legal entity representing the association, from previous legal standing as private legal entity.

Moreover, the Applicant also revises their constitutional loss. The Applicant considers harmed by Article 33 letter g and Article 50 (1) letter a and letter c Act a quo because the Articles aforementioned have provided discriminative paradigm on village head and authorities election. The Applicant argues the Articles harm their constitutional rights to get equal opportunity and non-discriminative governance. “Therefore, the Articles suppose to be declared contrary to the 1945 Constitution,” said the Applicant in front of Justice Panel led by Constitutional Justice Maria Farida Indrati.

In petition points, the Applicant argues Article 33 letter g and Article 50 (1) letter a and letter c Act a quo don’t provide equal opportunity on village head and village authorities election. Moreover, they assess such provisions hamper the political rights of villagers who have returned back from migration to their home areas with aim to run for village authorities/ head. Under the reason aforementioned, the Applicant requests the Court to declare Article 33 letter g and Article 50 letter a and letter c Act of Villages contrary to the 1945 Constitution. (Lulu Anjarsari/IR/Prasetyo Adi N)