Chairman of the Constitutional Court’s Ethics Council (MKMK) I Dewa Gede Palguna talking to the press, Monday (3/6/2023). Photo by MKRI/Panji.

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Monday, March 6, 2023 | 15:52 WIB

JAKARTA (MKRI) — Majelis Kehormatan Mahkamah Konstitusi (MKMK) or the Constitutional Court’s Ethics Council will be questioning Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra this afternoon, Monday, March 6, 2023, at the 11th floor of the Constitutional Court’s (MK) main building. The questioning was part of an investigation into the change to Constitutional Court (MK) Decision No. 103/PUU-XX/2022.

The statement was made by the council’s chairman I Dewa Gede Palguna when interview by the media at the Court. He explained that the council would be concluding its preliminary examination into the constitutional justices by questioning Justice Saldi.

“Today is the last day [for questioning constitutional justices]. Only the testimony of one more justice, Prof. Saldi Isra. is left. His testimony will conclude the preliminary examination into the justices. After all the justices’ testimonies, we request clarifications, including from the party with the highest interest, i.e. Zico,” he said.

He also revealed that the council was currently analyzing supporting documents such as audio and CCTV recordings. After it is complete, the council will deliberate to determine whether a follow-up examination is necessary.

“We are currently analyzing the documents that we have such as audio recordings, CCTV [recordings], and so on. There are things that we must obtain and request from the Court. After that, we will deliberate to decide whether we will continue with a follow-up examination or whether a decision can be made,” he explained.

In the event that another examination be conducted, it should end by March 20. “Before March 20, a decision must be made since it is the deadline for us,” he stressed.

Palguna revealed that, despite having found some clues, the council must investigate them and exercise caution to arrive at a decision. He stressed that the details of the investigation cannot be revealed just yet. “[The council] must avoid any judgement on anyone before they are declared guilty or not. That is what we must avoid. [The council’s members] might have assumptions or perceptions but we cannot be caught in them. We must carry out proper examination. There are documents and recordings to examine and confirmations relating to the incident are necessary,” he emphasized.

He promised that the council’s decision will be publicly disclosed since the end of the investigation will be public property. The public will then judge the council’s and the Court’s work.

The MKMK has summoned individuals for questioning, such as Chief Registrar Muhidin, Acting Secretary-General Heru Setiawan, substitute registrars, and court administrators. It has also questioned eight sitting constitutional justices and former justices on the case.

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

Translation uploaded on 3/7/2023 14:49 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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