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The Constitutional Court’s Chief Registrar Muhidin. Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The Constitutional Court (MK) continues reviewing cases amidst COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. The constitutional justices review the cases through deliberation meetings (RPH) or through open hearings. This was confirmed by Chief Registrar Muhidin via telephone interview on Thursday afternoon (2/4/2020).

"The sessions at the Constitutional Court are to be carried out immediately after April 21, 2020, or after the government policy for ASN [state civil apparatus] to work from home (WFH), which is a response to the extension of the COVID-19 disaster emergency status issued by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)," Muhidin said.

Muhidin said that the Constitutional Court has already have a policy in place to receive cases online and hold sessions remotely. "Court sessions can be carried out by the justice panel via video conference [remotely]. The panel of justices does not have to be all present in the courtroom [but to stay] in their respective residences and use [the video conference platform] Zoom," he explained.

Therefore, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Constitutional Court is still able to hold sessions using technology. "The Court will immediately decide [further steps] by taking into account the latest developments, whether the Court will hold a session [as usual] or through other means," Muhidin added. 

Muhidin said long-distance court sessions have a legal basis in the Constitutional Court Regulation (PMK) No. 18 of 2009. It can be carried out during normal and emergency situations. 

"The government’s policy on COVID-19 stipulates an extension of the work-from-home period, initially [until] April 6, 2020, but extended to April 22. We will see [how it goes]. Hopefully the outbreak will soon subside. Of course we pray to the Almighty that we can return to normal so that the sessions will proceed as usual," Muhidin explained. 

Muhidin also said that in the near future the Court will hold a ruling pronouncement hearing. If the situation does not allow it, it will be conducted remotely. The hearing mechanism will be determined later. "The public already understands that litigating at the Constitutional Court is easy with the help of technological advancements," he explained. 

Muhidin stressed that the Registrar\'s Office has scheduled the hearing based on consultation with the constitutional justices, starting from the preliminary examination, court examination, to the evidentiary hearing, justice deliberation meeting (RPH), and the ruling hearing. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Registrar\'s Office and the Secretariat General of the Constitutional Court have considered various possibilities using technology in its operation. (Nano Tresna Arfana/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti

Translation uploaded on 04/03/2020

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