President Joko Widodo congratulating Constitutional Justice Manahan M. P. Sitompul after his inauguration at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (30/4). Photo by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Manahan M. P. Sitompul took an oath as a Constitutional Justice for the 2020-2025 term before President Joko Widodo on Thursday (30/4/2020) at the State Palace, Jakarta. The inauguration was held amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. Strict COVID-19 protocols were observed during the event. All in attendance wore a mask and kept some distance.

Manahan’s inauguration was based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 42/P of 2020 regarding the Reappointment of Constitutional Justice Ambassador from the Supreme Court.

Manahan swore to do his obligations as a constitutional justice to the best of his abilities. “I do solemnly swear by God that I will fulfill the obligations of the constitutional court justice in the best and fairest way possible, uphold the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and execute all laws and regulations in accordance with the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and dedicate myself to the service of the nation and the people,” Manahan said in his oath before the President.

After taking his oath, he signed a minute, which was then signed by President Joko Widodo. The president then congratulated the newly appointed justices and spouse Hartaty C. N. Malau. Guests in attendance also offer their congratulations under strict COVID-19 protocols.

Manahan’s previous term as a constitutional justice ended on April 28, 2020. He had been sworn in as Constitutional Justice for 2015-2020 term before President Joko Widodo on April 28, 2015.

Before Manahan was first appointed as a constitutional justice, the man born in Tarutung on December 8, 1953 was the Deputy Chief Judge of Banjarmasin High Court. His judicial career started as a judge in Kabanjahe District Court in 1986. He then was transferred to several courts in North Sumatera while completing his masters. In 2005, he was appointed the Deputy Chief Judge of Sragen District Court while completing his PhD dissertation with data from Central Jakarta, Medan, Semarang, Surabaya, and Ujung Pandang Commercial Courts, as well as (library) comparative study at the National University of Singapore and the University of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur. In 2009 at North Sumatera University (USU) he delivered his dissertation defense with promoter Prof. Dr. Mariam Darus, S. H.

Justice Manahan always believes in ‘Ora et Labora,’ meaning to pray and work, following his parents’ parenting. He applies it in his life with spouse Hartaty C. N. Malau, who he married in 1984. The father of Juristama P. Sitompul, Lawina M. Sitompul, and Junistira H. Sitompul revealed his family support’s in realizing his ideals. (Ega/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti