Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Suhartoyo officially closing the Technical Assistance Program of the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution for members of the Indonesian Advocates Association on (PERARI), Saturday (9/3/2019) in Surabaya, East Java. Photo by Humas MK/Bayu.

Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Aswanto officially closed the Technical Assistance Program of the 2019 Elections Results Dispute Resolution for members of the Indonesian Advocates Association on (PERARI), Saturday (9/3/2019) in Surabaya, East Java. According to him, the Constitutional Court has an interest in educating advocates in order to equalize perceptions in handling cases as well as proceedings at the Constitutional Court ahead of the 2019 Concurrent Elections.

"So the Constitutional Court needs to ensure that all parties, especially these advocates, to match the perception and understanding of legal proceedings at the Constitutional Court, including in handling cases. Because we should not debate technical issues during the hearing," he explained before 63 PERARI executives and members attending the closing ceremony. 

Justice Aswanto said that the same perception between the Constitutional Court and advocates is intended so that the proceedings will run smoothly. "My hope is that in our proceedings, advocates will understand the technical issues, of course [we expect them] to focus on the substantive debate in the court," he explained. 

He stated that there will not be any more problems regarding technical matters so that the court can focus on proving the arguments of the petition so that the court will work more effectively and efficiently, as the Court often faces criticism and tends be doubted by the public. "For example, in submitting evidence in dispute cases, do not hesitate, because the Court has its own judgment. What must be assessed is evidence that has evidentiary value. If there is no strong evidentiary value, the Court will ignore it," he said.

Aswanto also emphasized that the Constitutional Court is an institution that corrects mistakes that occur in the field because the justice of the people is taken away. The Constitutional Court has committed, if there is strong evidence, to enforce justice. "The strongest is evidence because the Court does not directly monitor [events in] the field," he concluded. 

Perari Chairman Zuman Malaka asserted that this collaboration is very important for Perari advocates, especially ahead of the simultaneous elections. "So, of course there will be post-election disputes and that must be resolved by the advocates at the Constitutional Court. And this collaboration is also important for Perari as a form of further education especially for new advocates," he said

According to Zuman, the program is very important for Perari as a form of synergy with one of the country\\'s high institutions that has an important role in resolving constitutional issues in this country. Besides, it is also very important for advocates to further their education, especially for those who have never handled cases at the Constitutional Court. 

Perarti member Wantono enthusiastically welcomed this activity, as it informs of the procedures for resolving the General Election Results Dispute Cases in the Constitutional Court and can encourage professionalism among advocates as law enforcers in Indonesia. This event is also a manifestation of friendship with other Perari members. "I feel grateful for this activity. In addition to exchanging ideas and discussions [it] also brings together members in all regions in Indonesia to establish friendship," he said. (Bayu/NRA/Yuniar Widiastuti)