Head of the Public Relations and Domestic Cooperation Department Fajar Laksono Suroso delivering material for the participants of the 2019 National Moot Court Competition, Wednesday (13/11) at the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Wengky.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The Constitutional Court (MK) organized a briefing for the participants of the 2019 National Moot Court Competition for the Chief Constitutional Justice trophy, Wednesday (13/11/2019) at the Constitutional Court. The event was collaboration between the Constitutional Court, Taruma Negara University, and the Association of Lecturers on Procedural Law of the Constitutional Court (APHAMK).

Head of the Public Relations and Domestic Cooperation Department Fajar Laksono Suroso, in his presentation in the first session, explained that the Court is cooperating with various institutions overseas as part of constitutional diplomacy. Fajar believes that the cooperation is intended to introduce the Court’s decisions to judicial and academic institutions overseas.

The information exchange so far shows similarities of issues and challenges faced by constitutional courts of a number of countries. Fajar said that although the decisions of the Indonesian Constitutional Court are final and binding, in practice they are often disregarded by relevant institutions. For example, there is currently the bid to revive the presidential insult law, which was declared unconstitutional by the Court.

In the second session, Constitutional Court researcher Bisariyadi in his presentation explained that in the past separation of powers were strict, so that public policies could not be discussed by the judiciary. Since the constitutional supremacy, which guarantees the constitutional rights of citizens, the judiciary is involved in the formulation of state policies through judicial review of laws.

Bisariyadi added that the Constitutional Court of South Africa even has a high position and a great authority because aside from reviewing laws, it can also review the decisions of the Supreme Court and review the Constitution.

In the third session, Constitutional Court researcher Pan Mohamad Faiz briefed the participants from various universities in Indonesia from the western, central, and eastern regions. In his presentation, Faiz explained how constitutional justices interpret the Constitution. He said that it is a way to find truth. He added that anyone can interpret the Constitution, but the Constitutional Court is the final interpreter in case of any dispute regarding the interpretation of the Constitution. (Ilham/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti