The Constitutional Court (MK) welcoming SMA Yasporbi students on Wednesday (3/10). Photo by Humas MK.

Forty-six students of the high school SMA Yasporbi visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Wednesday (3/10/2018) to get to know the Constitutional Court more. A substitute registrar of the Court Syukri Asy\'ari welcomed them in the Delegation Room at the fourth floor.

Syukri began his presentation on the brief history of the Constitutional Court. He revealed that the institution was established on August 13, 2003 as the result of an amendment to the Constitution after the collapse of the New Order.

"In the early years of independence, M. Yamin [suggested] that the Supreme Court [be granted] the authority to examine the law. However, this idea was rejected by Soepomo because there were still few qualified legal scholars at the time," he explained.

Syukri explained that the Constitutional Court has four authorities and one obligation based on the 1945 Constitution. The authorities are to examine the law against the 1945 Constitution, to decide upon authority disputes between state institutions whose authority was granted by the 1945 Constitution, to decide upon the dissolution of political parties, and to decide on disputes over the results of general elections. The Constitutional Court\'s obligation is to make decisions related to alleged violations committed by the president and/or vice president.

Syukri said the nine constitutional justices represent the three branches of state power. "Three [justices] are nominated by the president, three by the House of Representatives (DPR), and three by the Supreme Court," he explained.

In general, Syukri said, the Court implements speedy court proceedings to create stability. As of October 1, 2018, the Constitutional Court has received 1,215 cases. 1,167 cases have been decided. Five laws most reviewed by the Constitutional Court since 2003 are the Criminal Procedure Law (62 cases); the Regional Government Law (42 cases); the Regional Election Law (36 cases); the Law on the Election of Members of the DPR, DPRD, DPD (35 cases); and the Law on the Election of President and Vice President (33 cases). (ARS/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti