Constitutional Court researcher Yuwana Yustikaningrum welcoming law students from several universities, Monday (7/10) in the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Students from law faculties of Pattimura University, Muhammadiyah Surakarta University, North Sumatera Muhammadiyah University, and Sawerigading University Makassar visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Monday (7/10/2019). Researcher Yuwana Yustikaningrum welcomed those 50 students at the fourth floor of the Constitutional Court building.

During the visit, Rima explained matters related to the Constitutional Court, especially the authority of the Constitutional Court, which adjudicates at the first and last level. This means the decision of the Constitutional Court is final and binding, and there is no appeal. Thus, the hearing in the Constitutional Court is different from that of other courts. 

Rima also described four authorities and one obligation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia. The first authority is reviewing the law against the Constitution. The second authority is to decide upon disputes between state institutions. The third authority is to decide upon the dissolution of political parties. In addition, there is the authority to decide cases on the results of general elections. In addition to these four authorities, the Constitutional Court is also obligated to decide upon the opinion of the House if the president and or vice president are suspected of violating the law or of committing disgraceful acts. 

Rima also explained a number of the Constitutional Court’s functions. "The Constitutional Court functions as the final interpreter of the Constitution, the guardian of the Constitution, the guardian of democracy, and the protector of human rights and constitutional rights of citizens," said Rima next to Muhammadiyah Surakarta University lecturer Galang Taufani as moderator. 

In the question and answer session, a student asked the role of the Ethics Council of the Constitutional Court as the supervisor of the constitutional justices. Rima explained that the Constitutional Court\'s Ethics Council has the authority to oversee the ethics and behavior of constitutional justices. "However, the Constitutional Court\'s Ethics Council is not authorized to oversee the performance of constitutional justices, let alone interfere in the matters of the Constitutional Court\'s decision," said Rima. 

Another student asked about the Court’s obligation regarding impeachment of the president and or vice president and the assumption that the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) decides on the impeachment. The term impeachment, Rima said, as circulated by the media, is decided by the Constitutional Court.

Article 24C paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia reads, "The Constitutional Court has the duty to rule on an opinion of the House of Representatives regarding alleged violations of the Constitution by the President and/or Vice President."

Another student asked about the considerations of the constitutional justices in deciding on cases. . "In deciding on a case, the Constitutional Court justices not only consider feedback from the researchers or court substitute registrars, but also from the evidence and facts revealed in the trial. In addition, also from communication among fellow justices when they exchange ideas in the Justice Deliberation Meeting. The Constitutional Court\'s decisions are related to people\'s lives. Because of that, the Constitutional Court Justices are cautious in deciding a case. Moreover, there is a saying that judges have one foot in hell and another in heaven," said Rima. (Nano Tresna Arfana/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti