Judicial review petitions in simpel.mkri.id application. Photo by Humas MK.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Since implementing the work-from-home (WFH) policy on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Constitutional Court (MK) has continued to receive online petitions to guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens that are violated by the law. Until April 16, seven petitions have been received on the simpel.mkri.id application.

Junior Registrar I Triyono Edy through phone call said that the Court did receive online petitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court examined whether petitions have meet the requirements. When they have, the Registrar’s Office registers and numbers them.

“Then the justices panel will be assigned, then the first hearing is scheduled, the substitute registrars are assigned, the hearings are scheduled, and the [litigants] are called. [Currently] the hearings will be done online through video conference,” he said on Thursday afternoon (16/4/2020).

On April 9, the Indonesian Anticorruption Community (MAKI) filed a petition regarding Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) Number 1 of 2020 on State Financial Policy And Financial System Stability for Handling COVID-19. Three citizens, Din Syamsuddin, Amien Rais, and Sri Edi Swasono, also challenged the perppu.

Edy said that the case might be a priority amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “However, it’s still being discussed and will be deliberated with the deputy chief justice on Monday, April 20, 2020 for the scheduling of the hearing,” he added.

Justice seekers can file online petitions by accessing simpel.mkri.id and then register an account. Then they will be able to access judicial review petitions and fill in the available columns. Then, they will automatically receive the online receipt. After the petition is registered, they will be informed by the Registrar’s Office through e-mail and text message.

In March 2020, the Court received three judicial review petitions. First, a petition on Law No. 29 of 2004 on the Medical Practice, Law No. 44 of 2009 on Hospitals, and Law No. 36 of 2014 on Medical Personnel filed by citizens Ana Apfianti and Kusnan Hadi. Second, a petition on Law No. 8 of 1981 on Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) filed by Azwarmials Armi. Third, a petition on Emergency Law No. 12 of 1951 on Firearms filed by (Retired) Major General Kivlan Zen.

In April 2020, the Court received three judicial review petitions. First, a petition on Law No. 1 of 2020 on State Financial Policy And Financial System Stability for Handling COVID-19 filed by MAKI, Mega Bintang Solo Indonesia 1997 Foundation, the Indonesian Community for Justice (KEMAKI), the Law Enforcement Monitoring Institute (LP3HI), PEKA Legal Aid, and several individuals. Second, a petition on Law No. 16 of 2004 on the Attorney General\\'s Office of the Republic of Indonesia filed by Jack Lourens Vallentino Kastanya. Third, a petition on Law No. 40 of 2014 on Insurance filed by several individuals. (Panji/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti