Chief Justice elect Anwar Usman (left) shaking hands with Deputy Chief Justice elect Aswanto after oath declaration of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Monday (2/4) in the Plenary Courtroom of the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Ganie.

Constitutional Justices Anwar Usman and Aswanto took an oath of office as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for 2018–2020 on Monday (2/4/2018) in the Plenary Courtroom of the Constitutional Court. The event was witnessed by Vice President Jusuf Kalla; all constitutional justices; Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Wiranto; People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairperson Zulkifli Hasan, House Vice Chairperson Fadli Zon, former MPR Chairperson for 2004–2009 Hidayat Nur Wahid, and other guests.

“I do solemnly swear that I will fulfill the obligations of a constitutional justice as well and as fair as possible to uphold the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and implement all laws and regulations with sincerity according to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and to serve the state and nation," Justice Anwar swore.

In his address, Justice Anwar said that the mandate as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for 2018-2020 is a test from God. He said that in the religion, a judge is akin to God\'s representative on earth. For this reason, he felt that his positions as a constitutional justice and the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court were a great responsibility.

“I would like to start with innaalillaahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. An official position is a test from God to His servants. With their authority, a justice may revoke a law on another institution if it breaks the law. therefore, the ruling is not merely to enforce law, but has broad impacts,” said Justice Anwar after taking oath as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for 2018-2020.

Justice Anwar also said that the justice was a lonely job, meaning that he must be ready to work in silence in order to decide cases with a clear conscience. He said the office of a justice is not for people who have the ambition to pursue power because it may lead to abuse of the position. He concluded his address with a quote by Abu Bakr when elected caliph, “I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right.”

Voting

Sebelum dilakukannya pemungutan suara, masing-masing hakim konstitusi menyampaikan harapan jika terpilihnya Ketua MK yang baru. Berdasarkan hasil penghitungan suara, maka Hakim Konstitusi Anwar Usman unggul dengan memperoleh 5 suara dan Hakim Konstitusi Suhartoyo mendapatkan 4 suara.

The Constitutional Court had previously held a justice deliberation meeting (RPH) to select the chief justice for 2018-2020 in the Panel Courtroom of the Constitutional Court, led by Justice Anwar Usman. The open meeting was attended by Chief Justice of 2015-2018 Arief Hidayat. Each constitutional justice has the right to vote for and be elected chief justice for 2018-2020. The voting showed that Justice Anwar Usman received 5 votes, while Justice Suhartoyo received 4. After the election of Justice Anwar Usman as chief justice for 2018-2020, the justices reconvened to select the deputy chief justice through voting in an open meeting, where Justice Aswanto received 5 votes, while Justice Saldi Isra received 4. Justice Aswanto was then elected deputy chief justice to serve alongside newly-elect Chief Justice Anwar Usman. (Sri Pujianti/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)