Chief Justice Anwar Usman observing a welcome dance by students of SMA Negeri 1 Woha, Thursday (22/8/2019). Photo by Humas MK/Agung.

BIMA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman attended an socialization program at SMA Negeri 1 Woha on Thursday (22/8/2019) entitled “Millennial Teenagers’ Legal Awareness, Resilience, Moral, and Achievement." The event was also attended by Bima Regent and Deputy Regent Indah Damayanti Putri and Dahlan M. Nur.”

In his address, Justice Anwar said Indonesia has a great number of millennials, so certainly the baton of the nation and state, currently run by the previous generation or those currently in office, will be passed on to the millennial generation. "This regeneration process is to prepare the millennial generation be aware of the law, resilient, and make achievements, so that they will be ready and able to continue leadership of this country," he said.

Justice Anwar explained the rise of incorrect information or hoaxes will have an impact on millennials, who have the right to accurate streams of information. He advised those attending the event to always verify the accuracy of the information they receive.

"My children, when you receive information, try to process it objectively and cross-check its main source, so that the information is tested for validity," he advised.

Furthermore, Justice Anwar also warned against disseminating information through social media, even though the information has been verified well, if the contents are not useful or can even cause conflict.

He also said that based on various data, millennials are very vulnerable to drug abuse. "If millennials have been exposed to drug abuse, obviously their future might be destroyed, and their social life might be damaged," he explained.

He said that a country can even be destroyed if its people become drug addicts. "The history of the opium war between […] Britain, France, and China in 1839-1860 is a valuable lesson that drugs must become a common enemy of all citizens of the nation," he explained.

Justice Anwar hoped that millennials will continue pursuing knowledge diligently, and later become Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. "May [you] remain determined in your studies so that your and this country’s futures will be better. I am sure and I believe that among [you], my successor will be born one day as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court," he concluded before hundreds of students of SMAN 1 Woha. (Bayu/Agung/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti