---

Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah opening the 2019 Constitutional Debating Competition, followed by 24 finalist universities, Tuesday (13/8/2019) at the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center, Bogor. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

BOGOR, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The opening of the 2019 Varsity Constitutional Debating Competition also coincided with the commemoration of the 16^th Constitutional Court Anniversary on August 13, 2019. It also coincided with the Constitutional Court\\'s completion of the 2019 legislative election results dispute (PHPU) resolution.

"At the academic level and among academics, the Constitutional Court\\'s decisions on the Simultaneous Elections can be a subject of debate and study of various theories," said Secretary General of the Constitutional Court M. Guntur Hamzah when opening the XII National Varsity Constitutional Debating Competition of 2019 at Pancasila and Constitution Education Center, Bogor, West Java, Tuesday (13/8/2019).

According to Guntur, the dynamics constitutionalism in Indonesia continued to develop due to many challenges as well as many studies, which became a reference for the Court. Guntur said that the Constitutional Court always tried to guard the Constitution and Pancasila values because the Constitutional Court uphold the living Constitution and this activity was also an effort of the Constitutional Court to protect the Constitution.

"In the era of destruction that we experience today, many steady theories face challenges so there are theoretical and conceptual debates about new theories and this has always been a part of the Constitutional Court. Related to legal developments, the Constitutional Court will publish many reference books which will be distributed to [universities]," explained Guntur.

According to Guntur, the Constitutional Court always expected support from the academic world because the history of the Constitutional Court is inseparable from the participation of academics. Therefore, it is expected that the Constitutional Court and universities will always join hands in order to guard the Constitution.

Full of Dynamics

Guntur also hoped that there would be finalists from the three regions (Western, Eastern, and Central Regions). "Our activity tonight is the 12th (Constitutional Debate). It is hoped that there is improvement of quality [from past debates]. The participants in attendance are great participants. Of course in this national competition all starts from the beginning. Do not see who [you] will be face in the debate, because all starts from the beginning," he said.

According to Guntur, a team could be great in the region but stumbles at the national level because they are not well prepared, turning things upside down. He appealed to the superior teams not to be complacent and feel comfortable as if there were no more opponents, as they could lose at the national competition. "[Your] will compete [with] arguments, compete [with] ideas, and how to convey, who is the best according to the criteria of the jury," said Guntur.

Guntur also advised the participants to prepare themselves well to receive the best judgment from the jury. He also stressed that the Constitutional Debating jury is independent, has integrity, and is impartial in giving judgment. The rules held by the jury are a reference to what can and may not be done.

24 universities from three regions had passed the preliminary round to head to the final of the 2019 Constitution Debating Competition. Those are from the western region: Syiah Kuala University, Sriwijaya University, University of Indonesia, Bengkulu University, Andalas University, State Padang University, Maranatha Christian University, and Padjadjaran University; from the central region: Sebelas Maret University, Mulawarman University, Tarumanagara University, Gadjah Mada University, Tanjungpura University, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Satya Wacana Christian University, and Diponegoro University; and eastern region: Airlangga University, Surabaya University, Muhammadiyah Malang University, Sam Ratulangi University, Khairun University, Indonesia Muslim University, Brawijaya University, and Mataram University. The champions will be announced on Thursday (15/8/2019) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta. (Ilham/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti

---