Expert assistant to constitutional justice Abdul Ghofar welcoming law students of Muhammadiyah University of Bengkulu, Tuesday (8/1/2023). Photo by MKRI/Panji

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JAKARTA (MKRI) — Students of the Law Faculty of Muhammadiyah University of Bengkulu visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The students wished to learn more about the Constitutional Court. Expert assistant to constitutional justice Abdul Ghofar welcomed them in the Court’s main hall. He also delivered a presentation on the history of the formation of the Constitutional Court and its authority.

In his opening remarks, Ghofar explained the authority and obligations of the Constitutional Court as one of the judicial institutions in Indonesia. Its authority includes reviewing laws against the Constitution, settling authority disputes between state institutions whose authority is granted by the 1945 Constitution, deciding the disbandment of political parties, and settling disputes over general election results (presidential and legislative).

In addition, the Court also has an obligation to decide the House’s (DPR) opinion on alleged constitutional violations or disgraceful acts committed by the president and/or vice president.

Ghofar also said that after several stages of amendment, there is no longer a supreme state institution. All state institutions are equal, the only difference is their duties and functions. Next, he explained that the nine constitutional justices are selected by three state institutions: the House (legislative), the Supreme Court (MA) (judiciary), and the president (executive). This is done for the sake of checks and balances between state institutions.

“In addition, the duty of the Constitutional Court is different from the Supreme Court, as every Constitutional Court decision is final and binding. When the gavel is pounded, the decision takes effect immediately,” he said.

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

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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