The nine constitutional justice after the ceremony of the Constitutional Court’s 17^th anniversary, Thursday (13/8) at the Court’s courtyard. Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The Constitutional Court (MK) celebrated its 17^th anniversary on August 13, 2020 with a virtual ceremony. The ceremony was led by Chief Justice Anwar Usman. All staff members of the Registrar’s Office and Secretariat General of the Constitutional Court joined the ceremony virtually through Zoom, following health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Justice Anwar said that this year’s celebration and ceremony was different from the previous years. Only a limited number of staff joined the ceremony at the courtyard, while most staff followed it virtually. However, he added, it didn’t diminish the solemn mood of the ceremony.

He also said that 2019 is a crucial political year for the Court. “In 2019 the first simultaneous general elections were held, with fierce political competition. However, regardless of the elections’ weaknesses, [the Court] resolved 262 electoral dispute cases,” he said. He revealed that many expressed their appreciation and commendation of the Court’s decision. It shouldn’t only make the Court proud but also introspective to maintain its integrity and professionalism.

“At the end of the year the simultaneous regional head election will take place in 270 regions to elect governors and vice governors in nine provinces, mayors and vice mayors in 37 cities, and regents and vice regents in 224 regencies. We continue to make preparations, including drafting a PMK [Constitutional Court Regulation] on the pilkada [regional head election] dispute resolution and possibly online technical assistance programs. Essentially, we must carry out all preparations in order to safeguard the constitutional democratic process of regional head election,” he added.

The chief justice also congratulated the Court’s staff members who received the Satyalancana Karya Satya for 10 and 30 years of service. The award is the state’s appreciation for state civil apparatus’ (ASN) dedication to the nation and state. He also congratulated the civil servants and contract-based employees who were selected as this year’s exemplary employees. He hoped they continue to be role models for other staff members. (*)

Writer: Utami Argawati
Editor: Lulu Anjarsari
Photographer: Gani
Translator: Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Translation uploaded on 8/14/2020 18:41 WIB

Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case where any differences occur between the English and the Indonesian version, the Indonesian version will prevail.