Delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (MKRI) visiting KBRI in Australia to strengthens cooperation, Friday (6/12/2019). Photo by Humas MK.

CANBERRA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Deputy Ambassador of Indonesia to Australia in Canberra, M. I. Dery Aman welcomed Constitutional Justice Suhartoyo, Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra, and the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (MKRI) on Friday (6/12/2019) at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Canberra. During the meeting, Constitutional Justice Suhartoyo said that the MKRI at present and in the coming years plans to develop cooperation with judicial institutions and educational institutions in Australia in order to improve its human resources. Therefore, the MKRI held a coordination meeting with the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra to accelerate the plan.

Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra also explained that the close relationship between the MKRI and the judiciary in Australia started with good relations between the MKRI and Professor Bertus de Villers, a State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) Judge, and former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia Robert French. Both of them are always active in supporting the activities of the Constitutional Court, including the Expert Meeting between the constitutional justices of the MKRI and judges and legal experts from various countries in Tangerang in September 2019.

Before the Deputy Ambassador and staff members of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Justice Saldi also explained the results of the cooperation during a working visit in Australia. First, the MKRI further strengthened its cooperative relations with the State Administrative Tribunal. Second, the MKRI confirmed its commitment to work together and join the International Consortium for Court Excellent (ICCE) to implement the International Framework for Court Excellent (ICFE). Third, the MKRI initiated cooperation in education and the human resource development with the University of Newcastle and Curtin University in the form of double degree education programs, custom-made programs, internship, and research visit. 

Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of the Constitutional Court Heru Setiawan said that in addition to what was explained by the constitutional justices, the MKRI\'s international programs continue to be improved, particularly through discussions, expert meetings, international symposiums, and internship for Australian students at the MKRI, as well as various other programs involving institutions from Australia or other countries. The MKRI continues to strive to get approval from the world\'s constitutional courts and supreme courts to host the World Conference on Constitutional Justice (WCCJ) in 2024. 

Deputy Ambassador Dery Aman expressed his gratitude for the role of the Republic of Indonesia in international forums, especially in Australia. The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and the Indonesian representative office in Australia will continue to accelerate the cooperation that has been carried out by the MKRI. In addition, he said that the relationship between the Governments of Indonesia and Australia was good and both already have treaties, so it will further facilitate cooperation plans between the MKRI and judicial and educational institutions in Australia. (HS/PMF/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti