The 2018 Constitution Festival in collaboration with Samarinda\'s Mulawarman University was held for three days (October 13-15, 2018). The festival, on the theme "Understanding the Constitutionality of Elections in a Frame of Diversity" was attended by 200 visitors from various elements of society, students, and youth throughout Samarinda City. The event consisted of panel discussions and a series of competitions such as the quiz contest, scientific writing competition, and constitutional debate competition. On Monday (15/10), the Grand Closing of the Mulawarman Constitution Festival took place.

Constitutional Justice Wahiduddin Adams, Head of the Constitutional Court’s Public Relations and Domestic Cooperation Department Fajar Laksono, Mulawarman University Law Faculty Dean Mahendra Putra Kurnia, and Law Faculty Lecturer Unmul Rosmini. The festival was an effort to improve the public’s understanding of the Constitution ahead of the 2019 presidential and vice presidential election.

Constitutional Justice Wahiduddin Adams, who opened the event, said he felt grateful to be at the festival because of he could be sharing knowledge in a place specifically devoted to exploring, developing, and disseminating knowledge, which is one of the oldest universities in Kalimantan. "I am always happy to be able to attend [events] at universities, meet with academics because this is where I can express myself, explore, and share knowledge," he said.

Justice Wahiduddin explained the birth of modern states in the early 1900s that was accompanied by the birth of the principle of constitutionalism. Countries that declare themselves independent complete their birth with a constitutional document. Some countries have separate text of the proclamation of independence and the constitution, such as Indonesia in 1945. However, other countries have the proclamation of independence and constitution in one document. Therefore, the constitution is akin to a birth certificate signifying the establishment of an independent nation. Therefore, he added, to maintain the nation, it is not enough just to remember history and take lessons from the past. The nation must aspire for the future and dreams to achieve together.

Mulawarman University Law Faculty Dean Mahendra Putra Kurnia appreciated the collaboration between the university and the Court in the festival. Fajar Laksono, spokesperson of the Constitutional Court, said that the festival was intended for public learning, especially for millennials, related to the constitution. "The Court as the guardian of constitution is present when there is a conflict between the law and the Constitution, which will certainly have an impact on society. Events like this are routine activities carried out by the Constitutional Court with universities in Indonesia, including with Mulawarman University," he said.

In the next session, Law Faculty Lecturer Rosmini began her presentation by explaining that the regulation governing elections is Law No. 7 of 2017. The election is the people\'s right to choose the nation\'s best leaders. State power actually lies with the people but they are represented by leaders, who will be accountable to the people in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution.

Therefore, she added, the people must exercise their right to vote leaders in accordance with the mandate, for people\'s welfare and for justice even though in reality there are still many people who have not used their right to vote due to doubts about the candidates for leaders or elected representatives. People might fear that they will instead prioritize the interests of political parties and override the interests of the people.

2018 Constitutional Festival

The Constitutional Debate Competition was won by STT Migas Balikpapan at first place, FKIP PKN of Mulawarman University at second place, and the Law Faculty of Widyagama Mahakam University Samarinda at third place, and the Law Faculty of Mulawarman University at fourth place. The quiz competition was won by SMAN 10 Samarinda at first place, and SMAN 3 Tenggarong at second place, SMAN 1 Tenggarong at third place, and SMAN 1 Bontang at fourth place. The scientific writing competition was won by SMAN 3 Samarinda at first place, SMAN 3 Tenggarong at second place, and SMAN 1 Bontang at third place. (Bayu/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti