Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman attending an international symposium in the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand. Photo by Humas MK.

Chief Justice Anwar Usman made an official visit to Bangkok, Thailand on April 7-11, 2018 to attend the 20^th Anniversary of the Constitutional Court of Thailand. President of the Constitutional Court of Sourth Korea Lee Jinsung and President of the Constitutional Court of Turkey Zuhtu Arslan.

The highlight of the event was the international symposium on The Constitutional Court: Protector of the Rule of Law. The event was opened with an opening ceremony on April 9, 2018, which was attended by a representative from the Kingdom of Thailand, Atthaniti Disatha-Amnarj. On this occasion, the foreign delegation and members of the Constitutional Court of Thailand received souvenirs in the form of royal coins. The symposium was then followed by a keynote speech from the President of the Constitutional Court of Thailand Nurak Marpraneet and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

In the next session on April 10, 2018, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman delivered a speech entitled “Constitutional Justice: Doctrines and Practices in Indonesia.” In his speech, Anwar Usman said that based on the 1945 Constitution, Indonesia is a country based on law. This term is a combination of rechsstaat and rule of law; other integrated legal systems and their implementation are suite to needs and development. 

He also explained that Indonesia has a unique legal system, inspired by the state ideology, Pancasila. According to Justice Anwar, in Pancasila, the law must be oriented towards justice so that it must not be understood as absolute and rigid, but full of moral and conscience. 

In the discussion, the moderator asked about public pressure addressed to the Constitutional Court regarding ongoing cases and controversy over Court decisions. According to Justice Anwar, public pressure is inevitable, especially in relation to freedom of opinion guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution, and every decision will not satisfy all parties. Therefore, impartial and legal judiciary is very important. 

The symposium was closed with the presentation of souvenirs from the President of the Court of Thailand to the speakers, Chief Justice, and President of the Constitutional Court. (Rizky Chaesario/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)