Students of SD Al-Bayan Islamic School of Tangerang, Banten visiting the Constitution History Center (Puskon) on Thursday (27/9) in the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

Ninety-seven students and twelve teachers of SD Al-Bayan Islamic School of Tangerang, Banten visiting the Constitution History Center museum at the fifth and sixth floors of the Constitutional Court (MK) on Thursday afternoon (27/9/2018). “We visit the Constitutional Court so that the students can explore, complete the subjects in schools concerning law in Indonesia. The subject matter of social sciences and citizenship education in Grade 5 covers about the law in Indonesia," said Roy Setiawan, a teacher and the group leader.

The Constitutional Court’s librarian Hanindyo guided the visit and explained, “Living in a country, there are rules that must be followed so that citizens are protected, safe, calm, and peaceful. The state is obliged to protect its citizens. In a country there are institutions that regulate and protect citizens. There are institutions in the field of transportation, law, and so on.”

Then Hanindyo talked about the Constitutional Court (MK) as a state institution in the fields of law and constitution. "The Constitutional Court does not punish people but [it] is a constitutional justice institution," he said. 

The Constitutional Court was officially established on August 13, 2003. However, its building on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta was not completed until 2007. "The Constitutional Court was formed to safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights, rights protected by law, so that everyone can live in peace. So, you can go to school safely, live in peace, not be afraid of criminals and so on," Hanindyo added. 

Hanindyo explained the authorities of the Constitutional Court. The first is judicial review, reviewing laws against the Constitution. "For example, you are currently studying at school, suddenly there is a new law that requires you to use an iron belt. But then you protested. You don\'t want to use an iron belt because it hurts. Finally, you petition the law to the Constitutional Court," he said.

The Court’s second authority is to decide on authority disputes between state institutions. In addition, the Constitutional Court has the authority to decide upon the dissolution of political parties, disputes over the results of elections and local elections. Finally, it has the authority to decide upon the opinion of the House of Representatives if the President and or Vice President are suspected of violating the law or committing disgraceful acts. 

After receiving explanation about the Constitutional Court, the students and teachers were then invited to visit the Constitutional History Center (Puskon) or the Constitutional Museum, which was divided into eight zones. The eight zones are the Pre-Independence Zone, the Independence Zone, the 1945 Constitution Zone, the RIS Constitution Zone, the 1950 Provisional Constitution Zone, the Return to the 1945 Constitution, the 1945 Constitution Amendment Zone, and the Constitutional Court Zone. (Nano Tresna Arfana/NR)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti