Joyful expressions of Bengkulu University students winning the 2019 Constitutional Debating Competition, Thursday (15/8) in Jakarta. Photo by Humas MK/Ganie.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Bengkulu University won the 2019 Constitutional Debating Competition after beating Aceh\'s Syiahkuala University in the final round on Thursday (15/8/2019) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta. The victory of Bengkulu University was obtained by the team for supporting the motion "Draft Bill on Harassment and Sexual Violence." The winner was announced directly by the head of the jury, constitutional law professor of Andalas University Yuliandri, alongside constitutional law lecturer of Brawijaya University Ali Syafa\'at.

Both teams became finalists after defeating 24 varsity teams participating in the national Constitutional Debate that took place at the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center, Bogor, on August 14, 2019. Diponegoro University won 3rd place in the twelfth competition. Best Speaker was won by Annissa Salsabila from Bengkulu University.

In his remarks, Chief Justice Anwar Usman revealed the victory was the result of cooperation, hard work, and smart work, as well as commitment to being a good sport. In a competition, he added, the key is not merely the desire to win, because everyone wants victory.

"But the most important and not necessarily possessed by everyone is being tawadhu or humble in welcoming victory and being legowo or open in accepting defeat," he said.

The Constitutional Debating Competition is held annually by the Constitutional Court and participated by universities throughout Indonesia. It acts as a means for the Constitutional Court to gain input on the dynamics of constitutionalism in Indonesia that continues to grow because of the many challenges as well as studies and views that develop. These academic developments have become a reference for the Constitutional court. The Court always tries to guard the Constitution and Pancasila values because it upholds the living Constitution, and this activity is also an effort of the Court to guard the Constitution.

The Constitutional Court\'s decisions not only have an impact on law, but also on the constitutional system, political life, social fields, etc. Therefore, in the Constitutional Debate this time, the Court prepared a number of motions: "Regional Representatives Council Members Not to Be Affiliated with Political Parties," "Constitutional Justices to Serve Only One Term," "Bill on the Elimination of Sexual Violence," " Online Ojek Regulations," "Criminal Sanctions for Hate Speech," "Legal Standing for Legislative Candidates in Election Results Dispute," and "Civil Positions held by TNI/Police."

In the elimination round, 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. (Lulu Anjarsari)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti