Chief Justice Anwar Usman with Secretary-General M. Guntur Hamzah welcoming Forum Konstitusi, Wednesday (6/15/2021) in the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 08:53 WIB

JAKARTA, Public Relations—The Constitutional Court’s (MK) Chief Justice he Anwar Usman and Secretary-General M. Guntur Hamzah welcomed Forum Konstitusi (Constitution Forum) on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Eight FK members in attendance were Pataniari Siahaan, Jakob Tobing, Valina Singka Subekti, Zain Badjeber, Gregorius Seto Harianto, Ali Hardi Kiaidemak, Harjono, Ali Masykur Musa, and Rully Chairul Azwar. They met with the chief justice and secretary-general to strengthen both institutions’ relations and to discuss constitutional issues.

“Within the framework of reorganizing the constitutional system, FK plans to carry out programs in collaboration in webinars related to issues of politics, democracy, regional government, and so on. There are some things needing attention in our current political system. We ask for cooperation and assistance from the Constitutional Court. Hopefully there will be a positive response [from the Court],” said Pataniari Siahaan.

Meanwhile, former Constitutional Court justice for 2009-2014 Harjono asked that the constitutional justices be aware of constitutional issues. Meanwhile, Jakob Tobing said it was necessary to instill the understanding of the Constitution in all elements of society to further strengthen the position of the Constitution in the state system, including in schools.

“I hope the Constitutional Court can play a role in encouraging [constitutional awareness] and not turn the Constitution into a political topic,” he said.

Chief Justice Anwar Usman responded by saying that the meeting would serve as inputs for the Court moving forward. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General M. Guntur Hamzah explained the follow-up to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Court and the FK—a collaborative constitution awareness program to improve public understanding of the 1945 Constitution and its relation to the Constitutional Court.

“We will arrange a program and Mr. Seto will follow up on the MK-FK cooperation. Several programs can be carried out in several locations and of course with Forum Konstitusi,” Guntur said.

He also said this was an opportunity for the FK to cultivate constitutional awareness and avoid any confusion.

“So, we have programmed [the activities] to be carried out in 2023. We will coordinate with the FK before the collaborative program is held,” he added.

In addition, Guntur said that he would involve the FK in several activities by the Court. He also mentioned that the Court had published books and would continue to do so and invited the FK members to publish books with the Court.

“I hope next year, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Court and the 24th anniversary of the amendment to the 1945 Constitution, we can facilitate it should the FK expresses [its wish to publish] books, for example, an overview of 24 years [of the amended Constitution] from you. We will coordinate [with you] and report it to the chief justice,” Guntur explained. 

Writer       : Utami Argawati
Editor        : Nur R.
Translator : Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Translation uploaded on 6/17/2021 10:43 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.

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