Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto receiving plaque from the Rector of Pancasakti University Burhan Eko Purwanto. Photo by Humas MK/Agung.

TEGAL, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The Constitutional Court (MK) organizes Constitutional Education for millennials because the Court realized that the sustainability of a nation is contingent upon the young generation (millennials). Millennials will influence the future of a nation. This was conveyed by Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto in the Constitutional Education short course for millennials on “Improving and Maintaining Nationalism through the Constitution” at Pancasakti University, Tegal, Friday morning (29/3/2019).

Justice Aswanto explained that if Indonesian millennial generation goes in a negative direction, the development of the nation will also stagnate. This is the reason why the Constitutional Court realized that same commitment to and understanding of the nation is required from the millennial generation. “The nation[‘s sustainability] is if the nation’s vision is realized,” he explained before SMA (high schools), SMK (vocational high schools), MA (Islamic high schools), BEM (Student Executive Body), and youth organizations in Tegal.

To achieve the nation\'s vision, Justice Aswanto called for the need for understanding of Constitution from the millennial generation. "If [they do not understand it], it will be difficult to implement the Constitution. If [they] understand the Constitution, [they] will understand [their] obligations and rights and the rights of others. This is the importance of understanding. This is an ideal condition to realize the nation\'s vision," he said.

If the millennial generation understands the Constitution, the country will become more just and prosperous. Then, Justice Aswanto said about the essence of human rights. He said that the essence of human rights is freedom, but that freedom ends when it comes in contact with the freedom of others.

Justice Aswanto also shared his experience dealing with legislative election disputes. He said the PHPU dispute must be resolved within 45 working days. "Sometimes the hearings take place from 8 AM to 8 AM the next day. Not to mention, there are threats [faced by] constitutional justices," he stressed.

Justice Aswanto stressed that citizens can correct laws through judicial review at the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court has the authority to review laws against the 1945 Constitution. Thus, citizens can file a petition for the judicial review of a law. "So, if in our opinion, there is a law that conflict with the 1945 Constitution, take it to the Constitutional Court. Later the Court will interpret [that law]. If, according to the Constitutional Court, the law is contrary to the 1945 Constitution, it will be revoked by the Constitutional Court," he said. (Lulu Anjarsari/Agung/Yuniar Widiastuti)