Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman symbolically handing over books to KPU Chairman Arief Budiman, Chief Constitutional Justice for 2003-2008 Jimly Assiddiqie, and Chief Constitutional Justice for 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva during Book Launching and Review, Wednesday (28/8) at the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Ganie.
JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Celebrating its 16th anniversary on August 13, 2019, the Constitutional Court (MK) published 25 books on law and constitution in the "Book Launching and Review of the Indonesian Constitutional Court" on Wednesday (28/8/2019) at the Hall of the Constitutional Court. Opening the event, Chief Justice Anwar Usman said that apart from being known as the month of Indonesian independence, August is also an important moment for the Constitutional Court, as it celebrates its anniversary on August 13.
Two weeks ago, he added, coinciding with the XII national constitutional debate competition, the Constitutional Court received awards from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for 3 categories. One of which is the most transparent judicial process, in which the Court utilizes ICT through live broadcast as well as up-to-date schedules and decisions on the website.
“All of it is part of transparency practiced and developed as accountability of the Court to the public. Those achievements and more others are the results of the work of all Constitutional Court staff,” Justice Anwar said before Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto; Constitutional Justices Saldi Isra, Enny Nurbaningsih, Wahiduddin Adams, and Manahan M. P. Sitompul; Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah; Registrar Muhiddin; and KPU Chairman Arief Budiman.
He added, in the 16th anniversary, the Court also was grateful for the launch of 25 books by the constitutional justices, secretary general, and staff members, as well as another book by Prof. Jimly Asshidiqie, who delivered the keynote speech at the event.
Promoting Literacy and Writing
Chief Constitutional Justice for 2003-2008 Jimly Assiddiqie as keynote speaker talked about “Literacy and Writing in the Judiciary to Achieve Justice and Constitutional Truth Based on Pancasila.” Through his speech, Jimly stated that the Constitutional Court can be referred to as the Constitutional Campus of the Republic of Indonesia because since its establishment, its justices have produced many books, especially during its first 5 years. Therefore, so that the writing culture that has been cultivated by previous justices is increasingly important, so the culture of literacy can be spread around the Constitutional Court and to other branches of the judiciary.
In the beginning, Jimly said, all justices were required to write their opinions and legal considerations, so that every justice would always write. He said that advanced civilizations have the culture of writing. He also emphasized the need for debate because justice must be debated and the nine constitutional justices may debate to get to justice.
Jimly said that books are life records and may be references in life. He advised all Court researchers, substitute registrars, and staff members to familiarize themselves with constitutional textbooks and legal context in the Court. “Hopefully in the future the Court’s perspectives will be broadened and strengthened for the legal considerations in the cases,” he said before the guests.
Book Review
Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra, Chief Constitutional Justice for 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva, and Kompas Daily Editor-in-Chief Budiman Tanuredjo spoke at the book review session moderated by Perludem (Association for Elections and Democracy) Executive Director Titi Anggraini. Justice Saldi said that the idea of publishing these books started with a simple thought at the end of 2018 to deliver a present for 2019 in the midst of Indonesia’s simultaneous elections.
"So, considering the best law graduates in the Constitutional Court, we targeted 16 books where only the justices will participate. We always said that our manuscripts had been completed so that the researchers and substitute registrars would also be encouraged to finish theirs," said Justice Saldi who wrote the book "Democratic General Elections, Principles in the Indonesian Constitution" with Khairul Fahmi.
Justice Saldi said that his book described the Elections of 1955 to 2019, which reflect Indonesian democracy. He stated that democracy in Indonesia is on the right track as the principles of elections have been consistent.
Academic Tradition
Chief Constitutional Justice for 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva as book reviewer at the event said that the 25 books launched were a remarkable achievement for the Court as they are written academically not only by the justices but also by Constitutional Court researchers and substitute registrars.
Hamdan added that the Court aspired to be the guardian of the Constitution whose functions and decisions develop progressive and conservative attitudes. This tradition must continue to grow and develop in the Constitutional Court. He argued that, based on his experience, the academic tradition in the Constitutional Court had begun a long time ago when justices were to write their opinions in writing even though this was not easy. "However, we make this a tradition. In testing our researchers, we also test them to form opinions. Their intellectual basis must be strong for reviewing cases for the decisions of the Constitutional Court," said Hamdan.
Kompas Daily Editor-in-Chief Budiman Tanuredjo said that as a child of the Reforms, the media considers the Constitutional Court an institution that is able to maintain the dynamics of democracy in Indonesia. With the publication of these 25 books, the Court has succeeded in becoming a pioneer that promoted the writing tradition for its employees.
According to Budiman, the books written by researchers and substitute registrars of the Constitutional Court are also a form of positive reflection. However, he explained, the Court needs to see how the public sees the Court’s figures. "As a journalist, [I believe] a more ideal mirror is how the public sees this institution. So, the Court does not only write from within its institution, but also makes itself visible to the public by writing from outside," he said.
He said that the Constitutional Court has better resilience compared to other institutions produced by constitutional amendment, because it has man, moment, media, and money. The early Constitutional Court justices were successful in building the foundation of the Court. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court gained momentum after the fall of the New Order as the ordinary people can fight for their constitutional rights through the Court. The media promote the Constitutional Court to the public. Last, the Court’s operation runs well because it has budgets.
"And now even the Court shows its existence with its reading culture. Therefore, in the future the Constitutional Court can use language that is easily understood to boost literacy," said Budiman. He hoped millennials can also read books by law and constitutional law enthusiasts.
At the event, Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman symbolically handed over books to Chief Constitutional Justice for 2003-2008 Jimly Assiddiqie, Chief Constitutional Justice for 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva, and KPU Chairman Arief Budiman. (Sri Pujianti/LA)
Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | 18:14 WIB 182