Chief Constitutional Justice of 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva, constitutional law professor of the University of Indonesia (UI) Topo Santoso, professor of Universitas Sebelas Maret I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani, and Kompas Editor-in-Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra at the book launch and review on Wednesday (11/10/2021). Photo by Humas MK/Zahra.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2021 | 16:37 WIB

JAKARTA, Public Relations—As a tribute for the 18th anniversary of the Constitutional Court (MK) on August 13. 2021, the Center for Research and Case Review (Puslitka) launched 30 books. Guests attended the event virtually while panelists onsite with strict compliance with health protocol at the hall of the ground floor of the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto in his opening speech said that the book launch and review was organized to coincide with the National Heroes Day, not only in commemoration of the fallen heroes, but also in the effort to spend days after the independence. “In the past, national heroes fight for the independence and to maintain it. Now our generation strive to spend the days of independence,” he stressed.

Justice Aswanto said one of the ways is by developing the nation and state’s intellectual life. “Books are closely related to developing the nation and state’s intellectual life,” he said.

He believed that the Constitutional Court’s staff and justices’ effort to launch the books was part of their responsibility to guarding the Constitution. One of the most basic things to guarding the Constitution is understanding one’s constitutional rights. He stressed that the duty to introduce constitutional rights to the people is not only in the hand of the Constitutional Court, but also all citizens.

In this case, he added, the Constitutional Court must stay at the forefront to exercise its function to guard human rights and constitutional rights.

Way of Life

Next, constitutional law professor of Padjajaran University Bagir Manan said that as someone who chose the academic life, he is was proud of the constitutional justices, the Court’s staff members, and other experts who have authored books.

“The Constitutional Court may play a role in the distribution of these books, not only rely on the publisher, but also distribute them to other regions so that they become beneficial for many people,” he said.

He concluded his speech by saying that realizing social justice is also part of implementing the Constitution.

Next, Chief Constitutional Justice of 2003–2008 Jimly Asshiddiqie began his keynote speech by expressing his appreciation for the book launch, which coincided with the National Heroes Day. He hoped the launch would motivate everyone to contribute to the nation.

“Books are important, not only in writing them, but also reading them,” he said virtually.

He added that the Court must develop a culture of reading and writing among its staff members. “Hopefully it will inspire all judicial institutions and state institutions so that we all exercise sharing and caring, not fighting for wealth,” he said.

Book Review

Panelists in the book review sessions were Chief Constitutional Justice of 2013-2015 Hamdan Zoelva, constitutional law professor of the University of Indonesia (UI) Topo Santoso, professor of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani, and Kompas Editor-in-Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra, with moderator Brigita Manohara.

Hamdan said the Constitutional Court was extraordinary for having published 81 books. “Academics and practitioners who litigate in the Constitutional Court will use these books as main references and recognize the views of the constitutional justices. There is a [possibility] that the Constitutional Court will slowly shift the legal system, [which tends to lean toward] continental Europe, to the common law,” he said.

He believes the books are highly beneficial for all, as knowledge will facilitate current and future generations to understand what has happened in the Constitutional Court.

Similarly, UNS professor I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani praised the Court for publishing 30 books. “I’m amazed that in a year [the Court could publish] 30 books. I don’t think no other state institutions have launched [as many] books in a year. This is extraordinary hard work and sacrifice by the Constitutional Court,” she stressed.

Rachmi talked of the old adage that books open windows to the world. As the guardian of the Constitution, the Constitutional Court, she said, continues dedicating itself to produce books.

Writer        : Utami Argawati
Editor        : Lulu Anjarsari P.
Translator  : Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Translation uploaded on 11/12/2021 13:30 WIB

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

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