Monday, March 29, 2021 | 07:51 WIB
Chief Justice Anwar Usman delivering his public lecture at the signing of an MoU on the socialization and promotion of constitutional awareness between the Constitutional Court and the Padang State University (UNP), Friday (26/3/2021) at the Rectorate of UNP, Padang, West Sumatera. Photo by Humas MK/Ilham.
JAKARTA, Public Relations—Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Anwar Usman delivered a public lecture at the signing of an MoU on the socialization and promotion of constitutional awareness between the Constitutional Court and the Padang State University (UNP) on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the Rectorate of UNP, Padang, West Sumatera.
He started his lecture by expressing his pride and gratefulness because, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic activities at UNP had been running smoothly following the existing health protocol. This, he said, showed the commitment and innovation by the university to conduct each of its programs during the “new normal.”
In the lecture on “Demanding Rights and Fulfilling Constitutional Obligations amid COVID-19 Pandemic,” Justice Anwar said that one of the key material of the Constitution is the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights. The pandemic means that this is more important than ever. The first and key component in this effort is the administration.
Justice Anwar said that even in normal conditions without a pandemic, state healthcare has been a complex issue. He added that even in the US, a country known as a superpower, healthcare under Obama’s administration (Obamacare) was highly controversial.
“The controversy arose more about state budget, which would be highly depleted if all citizens’ health insurance was to be covered by the state,” Justice said to the participants who joined the lecture in person and online.
He added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state has the responsibility toward its citizens in healthcare. Article 28H paragraph (1) and Article 34 paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution stipulate that each person has the right to receive medical care and that the state has the responsibility to provide proper medical and public service facilities. This is not an easy feat.
Effects of Pandemic
The state and the House of Representatives (DPR) decided that the 2020 simultaneous regional election (pilkada) happen. Consequently, health protocol must be followed closely. This resulted in many adjustments at all stages of the election, including the settlement of disputes over its results in the Constitutional Court.
The adjustments to the election and settlement of election disputes aren’t easy although not impossible, said Justice Anwar. Since the pandemic was declared, over 50 countries have held elections, some to a success.
The three nations lauded for successful elections amid the pandemic are South Korea, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka. Those countries, however, are different from Indonesia in terms of geographical conditions, population, and voter turnout. Nevertheless, a decision was necessary for Indonesia, despite the challenges. “As a muslim, I believe in God’s commandment in Surah Al Baqarah verse 286: ‘God does not charge a soul with more than it can bear,’” he said.
Justice Anwar believes that when one has made genuine efforts to fulfill constitutional rights, their obligation is fulfilled. Of course, he added, there is the understanding that there is no perfect choice.
Impacts of Pandemic on Education
Justice Anwar then discussed his observation of the world of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are worried that the pandemic will result in a “lost generation” due to disruptions to the learning and teaching process.
He also said that the issue of education is not limited to budget. He believes that the education system should also be developed based on constitutional norms. As an example, he talked about the issue of state schools of international standard (SBI) and international school pilot projects (RSBI), which was petitioned to the Court. The petitioners deemed the system unconstitutional. As a result, the Court repealed some of the unconstitutional norms related to the system.
Justice Anwar stressed that if the people don’t abide by the Constitution, the state’s foundation will be weak, and vice versa. since the Constitution is the basic law of the state.
Aside from the lecture, a signing of MoU on the socialization and promotion of constitutional awareness also took place, given UNP’s strategic position as a campus that generates teachers of Pancasila and Civic Education. Secretary-General M. Guntur Hamzah and Deputy Rector 4 of UNP on Planning and Cooperation Yasri signed the MoU on behalf of the two institutions.
Writer: Ilham Wiryadi M.
Editor: Lulu Anjarsari P.
Translator: Yuniar Widiastuti
Editor: NL
Translation uploaded on 3/29/2021 12:42 WIB
Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case of any differences between the English and the Indonesian version, the Indonesian version will prevail.
Monday, March 29, 2021 | 07:51 WIB 317