Constitutional Justice Arif Hidayat attending the opening of the 2023 Diponegoro Law Fair, Friday (10/27/2023). Photo by MKRI/Bayu.

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SEMARANG (MKRI) —Constitutional Justice Arief Hidayat and Secretary-General Heru Setiawan attended the opening of the 2023 Diponegoro Law Fair on Friday, October 27, 2023. This national-scale event raised the theme “Rejuvenating the Values of Democracy in Upholding Human Rights towards the Achievement of Pancasila State of Law.”

In this hybrid event, Constitutional Justice Arief Hidayat explained that Pancasila is a guideline for bridging the heterogeneity of Indonesian society. This is reflected in the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Works for Independence (BPUPKI) when determining the state’s foundation. The exemplary actions of the nation’s founders can serve as a reference for the current generation in this era of independence to establish a democratic, religious state of law.

“Thus, Indonesia is not only a legal and democratic country as stated in the first precept of Pancasila. Religions and beliefs present in Indonesia are synergized as a basis for law and democracy,” said Justice Arief to the participants during the semifinal of the 2023 Diponegoro Law Fair.

He emphasized that law in Indonesia must be guided by the belief in the One Supreme God. Law enforcement in Indonesia is not secular like in other democracies. The same applies to the economic and political aspects in Indonesia, as they are all based on God’s blessing and grace. Therefore, Indonesia is not a welfare state, but rather a religious welfare state.

“Therefore, let us study law that is characterized by Pancasila as the basis and guideline of the state for Indonesian people. Pancasila has not been replaced as long as Indonesia existed. Pancasila is permanent,” he explained to the future legal generation.

Overview of 2023 Diponegoro Law Fair

The 2023 Diponegoro Law Fair is cooperation between the Constitutional Court and Diponegoro University. This event consists of several competitions that several universities attended: a national debate competition, debate competition, contract drafting and negotiation competition, national law seminar, and academic writing competition.

This academic event served as a platform for law students to develop their knowledge and legal thinking. It aimed to deepen their understanding and promote healthy competition, enhance argumentative skills, foster interest in writing, and develop the participants’ soft skills as future legal professionals.

Author       : Sri Pujianti
Editor        : Nur R.
Translator  : Najwa Afifah Lukman/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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