MKMK Chairman I Dewa Gede Palguna and members Constitutional Justice Enny Nurbaningsih and UGM criminal law expert Sudjito welcoming the Indonesia Corruption Watch for an audience, Thursday (3/9/2023) at the Constitutional Court. Photo by MKRI/Agung.

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Thursday, March 9, 2023 | 13:11 WIB

JAKARTA (MKRI) — In order to express its support for Majelis Kehormatan Mahkamah Konstitusi (MKMK) or the Constitutional Court’s Ethics Council, Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil (Civil Society Coalition) visited the MKMK at the Constitutional Court’s (MK) main building on Thursday morning, March 9, 2023. The coalition comprises Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Setara Institute, Perludem (Association for Elections and Democracy), and Transparansi International Indonesia (TII). ICW was represented by Kurnia Ramadhana, Yassar Aulia, dan Seira Tamara; Setara Institute by Sisy; Perludem by Ihsan, and TII by Sehel. MKMK Chairman I Dewa Gede Palguna and members Constitutional Justice Enny Nurbaningsih and UGM criminal law expert Sudjito welcomed them in person.

Kurnia Ramadhana said that the coalition’s visit was aimed at expressing support for the MKMK in resolving the current issue on the change to one of the Court’s decisions. He also said that the Court was facing challenges from the other two branches of government against its independence. This, he said, was apparent from the current discussion to revise the Constitutional Court Law and on the recall of constitutional justices. He expressed concern that the deposition of deputy chief Justice Aswanto (2018–2020) could happen again.

“We have discussed the issue and even reported it to the Ombudsman, but the Ombudsman was not quick to react. Instead, it notified us only a day before the new constitutional justice was inaugurated,” he said.

Not long after, the Court went viral for the alleged change to Decision No. 103/PUU-XX/2022, which the coalition called a scandal. The coalition stressed the important role of the MKMK in investigating the allegation.

“I think the MKMK should be able to investigate the incident, whether it was done by an individual or a group,” Kurnia said.

He added that the public had a lot of hope in the MKMK, whose decision would impact public perception on the dynamic legal politics.

“The people have high hopes for the MKMK. Not to mention, the media highlighted the intention to include recall [of constitutional justices] in the revision to the Constitutional Court Law. I think the MKMK’s investigation results cannot be disregarded and also impact public perception on the dynamic legal politics. Today, we, organizations under the Civil Society Coalition, also brought letters of support to the MKMK from public figures such as Ni’matul Huda and Busyro Muqqodash. The MKMK’s chairman announced that the decision would have been made by March 20, 2023, so we believe this is the right moment to express the public’s support to the MKMK,” Kurnia emphasized.

Also read:

Court Forms MKMK to Investigate Change to Decision

Court Inaugurates MKMK Secretariat

MKMK Sworn in to Investigate Change to Decision

MKMK Starts Investigation into Constitutional Justices

MKMK to Finish Questioning Constitutional Justices

In response, MKMK Chairman I Dewa Gede Palguna thanked the coalition for the support. He quoted John Marshall and said that the Constitution is only meaningful if not only it lives among the people, but if the people also defends it against any attacks. “I believe your visit is to appreciate [the MKMK’s work]. [The MKMK] intends to work seriously,” he said.

Constitutional Justice Enny Nurbaningsih also thanked the coalition for the support. “Do not stop supporting this judicial institution so that it remains professional. Our independence is maintained as it should in a democracy,” she added.

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

Translation uploaded on 3/13/2023 10:57 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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