Raden Intan State Islamic University (UIN) Lampung visiting the Constitutional Court (11/2). Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Constitutional Court (MK) researcher Rima Yuwana Yustikaningrum welcomed 78 students of Raden Intan State Islamic University (UIN) Lampung in the Delegation Room on Tuesday (11/2/2020). Rima introduced the authorities of the Constitutional Court as constitutional judiciary in Indonesia. She explained that in 2019 the Constitutional Court exercised one of its authorities to resolve disputes over general elections results (PHPU).

"The Court is the arbiter of general and local elections. So, last year we completed the authority while spending nights at the office and working until very late because the authority of the PHPU is mandated by the Constitution," said Rima recalling her struggle along with the research team in assisting the constitutional justices during the 2019 PHPU.

Rima also talked about the obligation of the Constitutional Court to give a decision on the opinion of the House (DPR) that the president and/or vice president is suspected of violating the law, which might lead to impeachment. However, the Court has never exercised this particular obligation.

"Remember Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid)? This Indonesian president\'s fall was not honorable and it even gave the impression that Indonesia was not a rule of law. Therefore, the impeachment of a president is to be brought to the Constitutional Court to avoid repeat history," Rima said.

At the end of her presentation, Rima invited students, who were familiar with social media and technology, to follow the development of various facilities at the Constitutional Court, which were designed according to the times. The Constitutional Court, she added, is a judicial institution that also prioritizes modern values in the implementation of its main tasks and functions. The public can observe the Constitutional Court online, such as through registration of petitions, hearing schedule, decisions, journals, magazines, and even video conferences from 42 universities throughout Indonesia.

"The Court wants to facilitate through technology to prioritize targets to reach all circles because basically the Court\'s decisions are binding on everyone. They apply to all Indonesian citizens," Rima concluded. (Sri Pujianti/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti