Expert assistant to constitutional justice Intan Permata Putri delivering a presentation to students of SMA Sekolah Anak Indonesia, Tuesday (11/14/2023) at the Constitution History Center. Photo by MKRI/Panji.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) — The Constitutional Court (MK) welcomed 80 students of the private senior high school SMA Sekolah Anak Indonesia of Bogor on Tuesday November 14, 2023. They were welcomed by expert assistant to constitutional justice Intan Permata Putri in the Constitution History Center (Puskon) on the fifth floor of the Court’s main building.

In front of the students, Intan explained the Court’s authority, that is, to conduct judicial review of laws against the Constitution, to decide authority disputes between state institutions, to decide the disbandment of political parties, and to resolve disputes over general election results. In addition, it has an obligation to respond to the DPR’s (House of Representatives) allegations of violations committed by the president and or vice president.

Intan explained that out of all the authority mentioned, the Court has only exercised three of them so far, i.e. to conduct judicial review of laws against the Constitution, to decide authority disputes between state institutions, and to resolve disputes over general election results. “The Constitutional Court has never ruled on the dissolution of a political party nor carried out its obligation (ruling on alleged violation committed by the president and or vice president),” she said.

Intan further explained about the Court’s proceedings, which consist of three stages. They start with the preliminary examination hearing, evidentiary hearings, and deliberation meeting among the justices.

“During the deliberation meeting, the justices can express their thoughts freely, and it is conducted in a closed session,” she added.

In addition, she talked about the 2024 election, which will be divided into two stages. The first stage will be the election of the president and the legislature, and the second will be the election of provincial and regency/city regional heads.

After the vote counting recapitulation by the General Elections Commission (KPU) is completed, the Court opened registration for election dispute (PHPU) cases. The Court’s decisions in PHPU cases may include ordering a re-election or a recount of votes.

Intan added that there are two legislative election systems that have been implemented in Indonesia: the closed-list and the open-list proportional systems. Currently, Indonesia only applies the open-list proportional system.

“The difference between the open- and closed-list proportional system is that in the open-list proportional system, voters can directly choose their legislative candidates. Meanwhile, in a closed-list proportional system, voters can only choose their party,” Intan explained.

Author       : Panji Erawan
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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