Chief Justice Suhartoyo delivering his remarks at a Christmas and New Year celebration at the Court, Friday (1/5/2023). Photo by MKRI/Ifa.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) — The Constitutional Court’s (MK) Christmas and New Year’s celebration ran smoothly and warmly on Friday noon, January 5, 2024 in the Court’s delegation room. Chief Justice Suhartoyo and Constitutional Justices Wahiduddin Adams, Daniel Yusmic P. Foekh, M. Guntur Hamzah, and Ridwan Mansyur as well as Secretary-General Heru Setiawan and a number of the Court’s employees attended the event. Former constitutional justices Manahan M. P. Sitompul (2015-2023), Maria Farida Indrati (2008-2018); former chief registrar Kasianur Sidauruk; Gregorius Seto Hariyanto, Pataniari Siahaan, dan Jacob Tobing from the Constitution Forum; as well as Constitutional Court Ethics Council former member Bintan Saragih were also in attendance.

“I appreciate this Christmas celebration’s theme—glory to God and peace—where we can conclude that the teachings of any religion in our country have in common with Pancasila values. The theme or subtheme relating to the enforcement of democracy and law is the manifestation or actualization of the teachings of any religion in the country. So, those universal values cannot be separated from one’s religion,” said the chief justice in his remarks.

He hoped the Christmas celebration would bring blessings for every employee, not only Christians but those of other religions. “Blessings that one particular group feel cannot be felt comprehensively if they interfere with blessings for others that cannot be achieved at the same positions. I believe harmony is the objective of connecting with others, caring for one another, and practicing tolerance,” he stressed.

He also said that the new year of 2024 will bring the Court head-to-head with the complex challenges of the democratic festivity, which will affect the Court as well, i.e. in resolving election results disputes.

“This new year should be a momentum for introspection and contemplation for how the Court resolve general election results dispute cases amid negative public sentiment against the Court. So, there are things to synergize in order to build public trust and to prepare for the Court to exercise its authority,” Chief Justice Suhartoyo said.

Author       : Utami Argawati
Editor        : Lulu Anjarsari P.
Translator  : 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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