Secretary General of the Constitutional Court M. Guntur Hamzah meeting with MPR Vice Chairman Arsul Sani, Monday (18/5) at the MPR/DPR-RI Building in Jakarta. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Secretary General of the Constitutional Court (MK) M. Guntur Hamzah had an audience with the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Monday (18/5/20). MPR Vice Chairman Arsul Sani welcomed the Constitutional Court’s delegation to follow  up on the revision plan of the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), which had already been discussed by both agencies’ leaders in an online meeting.

Guntur said that there were several agendas and sub-agendas of development plans relating to the enforcement of law, such as the consolidation of democracy. “In terms of consolidation of democracy, is the Constitutional Court not involved […]? Isn’t the Constitutional Court the guardian of democracy?” he asked.

Guntur said that in the RPJMN, the judiciary is limited to criminal and civil judiciary. “Is it true that the enforcement of judicial law only refers to criminal and civil? This refers to the Supreme Court. I think it’s time for the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court [to be equal] judicial actors. We hope that constitutional judiciary [will also be considered] so that it can reflect the Constitution in any state agencies, including the Supreme Court,” he said.

Guntur explained that the Constitutional Court’s Pancasila and Constitution Education Center (Pusdik) in Cisarua, Bogor has been serving as a training and education center for election organizers, political parties and their attorneys, as well as election candidates and their attorneys. “Alhamdulillah (thank God), [Pusdik] has produced around 20,000 alumni. They’d like Pusdik to be expanded,” he said.

Pusdik’s existence encouraged the public to participate in its events. However, due to limited capacity, participants to each event are limited to 100-150. “We have the intention to expand Pusdik. Coincidentally, there is empty land whose owner wanted to sell. We hope to expand [Pusdik onto this land] so that 200 participants can join each event,” Guntur said.

Guntur said that the Constitutional Court has collaborated with the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Anti-Corruption Constitution Festivals, along with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and universities for four years. MPR RI Vice Chairman Arsul Sani said that the MPR supported the expansion of Pusdik and even suggested the Socialization of the 4 Pillars to be held in conjunction with the technical assistance program on constitutional rights for the citizens in Cisarua, Bogor.

The Constitutional Court’s Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah responded enthusiastically to the suggestion. “I think that’s a good idea because it shares the same mission to improve constitutional [understanding]. [We] can also collaborate with BPIP [the Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education]. So [we can establish] cooperation between the Constitutional Court, the MPR, and BPIP,” he said. (Panji/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti

Translation uploaded on 06/11/2020