Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman accompanied by Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto and Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah officially opened the 2nd Indonesian Constitutional Court International Symposium (ICCIS 2018), Monday (1/10) at Tentrem Hotel, Yogyakarta. Photos by Humas MK/Ganie.

The Constitutional Court (MK) held the 2nd Indonesian Constitutional Court International Symposium (ICCIS 2018) at Tentrem Hotel, Yogyakarta, on the theme of The Constitutional Court and Constitutionalism in Political Dynamics.

The ICCIS 2018 was officially opened by Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman on Monday (1/10). In his welcome speech, Anwar emphasized that the Constitutional Court in various countries is a judicial institution whose functions intersect with political interests. On the other hand, the Constitutional Court also has a function to protect the constitutional rights of citizens and guard the constitution. These two things, he added, are two interests that often oppose each other.

"Political interests are representation of the interests of the majority but the protection of constitutional rights cannot be ignored because it is part of the protection of the human rights of citizens and the safeguard of constitutionality in the state. Here lies the important role of the Constitutional Court in taking a decision if the two of them oppose each other," Justice Anwar explained in front of 200 delegates of the International Symposium.

He added that political dynamics or political interests that affect the position of the Constitutional Court in carrying out its duties in guarding the constitution is generally accepted in various countries. It is a very important position because it has strategic authority but at the same time [it] has weaknesses.

"Indeed the issue of political dynamics and its influence on the position of the Constitutional Court and its decisions depend also on the commitment in upholding the rule of law and the public awareness in materializing it," he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah reported on the same occasion that the Constitutional Court of Indonesia as a Permanent Secretariat of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC) had also launched the official AACC website. The website is designed to be a platform that can connect AACC member countries. In addition, basically, the ICCIS is an activity that facilitates constitutional justices from various countries to have a dialogue. (Bayu/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)