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Chief Justice Anwar Usman signing book cover alongside Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra, Jimly Asshiddiqie (Chief Constitutional Justice 2003-2008), and Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah after opening the Book Launch and Review of the Constitutional Court 2020, Tuesday (2/9) at the hall of the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Following the 17th anniversary of the Constitutional Court on August 13, the Center for Case Research and Studies (Puslitka) of the Constitutional Court launched 28 books on law and constitution. Guests attended the event online while speakers did so in person at the ground floor hall, in compliance with existing health protocols.

While opening the event, Chief Justice Anwar Usman said that the book launch and review was part of the celebration of the Court’s 17th anniversary. It reflected the Court’s commitment and contribution to improving the culture of writing in the community. He hoped the event would help disseminate the books, which were written by the Court’s justices and staff members. He also said the publication of these books was the Court’s effort in realizing the constitutional mandate to develop the nation’s intellectual life.

“With these published works by the Constitutional Court’s justices and staff members, [hopefully] Indonesia is able to grow into a developed country with knowledge and development,” he said before DPD RI member Jimly Asshiddiqie (Chief Constitutional Justice 2003-2008); Coordinating Legal, Political, and Security Affairs Minister Moh. Mahfud MD (Chief Constitutional Justice 2008-2013); and otherguests.

Moh. Mahfud MD as keynote speaker said that a judicial institution in Indonesia should not only produce normative legal consequences but also moral sanctions. He believed the existing regulations in the country are good, but the moral sanctions in law enforcement need to be publicized more. Therefore, the launch of these books was expected to help inform the public about moral sanctions in a way that is easily understood.

Meanwhile, Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra, who played a role in the publication of these books, revealed that in March he had made an inventory of the manuscripts to publish. He’d had doubts that the deadline would have been met, seeing that the authors had been quite busy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic gave the authors more time to work on their manuscripts while working at home. The publisher, Rajawali Press, also offered flexibility in revising the manuscripts.

“The culture of writing at the Constitutional Court shouldn’t stop because without [it] there won’t be quality decisions,” he added.

Academic Spirit

Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah stated that the launch and review of 28 books was in celebration of the Court’s 17th anniversary. He felt that it was a special event amid the pandemic and despite the authors’ busy lives, as even Chief Justice Anwar Usman, Justice Saldi Isra, and former Chief Constitutional Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie also took part.

“At the beginning, [we] didn’t target as many books, but the authors’ hard work and academic spirit will improve the quality of the Court’s decisions in the future. Hopefully, more books will be produced by the Court’s staff members’ thoughts and experiences,” he said.

Reflection of Civilization

In the book review session, Padjajaran University constitutional law professor Bagir Manan, Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) constitutional law professor Ni’matul Huda, senior editor-in-chief of Kompas Ninuk Mardiana Pambudy, and former Chief Constitutional Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie were present.

Next to Substitute Registrar Achmad Edi Subianto as moderator, Bagir Manan said that 59 years ago when he was pursuing legal studies, books were a scarcity although they are the reflection of civilization. He saw the book launch as the Constitutional Court’s mission to help build civilization.

“The impact of these books published today might only be felt in the next 10 or even 20 years. The Constitutional Court belongs to the public, so hopefully the books published in the future will be easily understood, can introduce the Court to the public, and foster the people’s sense of belonging to the Court,” he said.

Ni'matul Huda revealed that these books are readily accessible and hopefully will share insight on constitutionalism. "The Constitutional Court deserves to be called a constitutional campus at a time when campuses [experience writer’s block]," he said via Zoom from Yogyakarta.

Constitutional Court’s Crown

Ninuk Mardiana Pambudy said the book launch can be an example for other institutions. As Kompas editor-in-chief who had been struggling with writing for 35 years, she said books are the crowns of journalists. Likewise, the newly-published books of the Constitutional Court are its crowns.

“These books can also be a reference for legislative institutions as lawmakers, so that the laws will not only be in line with the 1945 Constitution, but also with constitutional values,” she hoped.

Writer: Sri Pujianti
Editor: Nur R.
Translator: Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Translation uploaded on 9/3/2020 14:42 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.

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