Constitutional Justices’ Book Launch and Academic Tradition in Court
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Approaching the end of their terms as constitutional justices, Wahiduddin Adams and Manahan M.P. Sitompul wrote academic books in law, Wednesday morning (18/1/2024) Photo by MKRI/Fauzan.


JAKARTA (MKRI) — Approaching their end of terms as Constitutional Justices,  Wahiduddin Adams and Manahan M.P. Sitompul wrote academic books in law. Arsul Sani, before his constitutional justice oath-taking, also participated in the book writing. The Court organized a launching event of the said books on Wednesday morning (18/1/2024) at the foyer of the Plenary Courtroom.

Wahiduddin Adams wrote books titled “Attuning to What’s Right: A Collection of Writings and Friends Commentaries Dr. Wahiduddin Adams, S.H., M.A.(Membiasakan Yang Benar: Kumpulan Tulisan dan Kesaksian Sahabat Dr. Wahiduddin Adams, S.H. M.A)” and “70 years of Dr. Wahiduddin Adams, S.H., M.A, at the center of Constitutional Life and Supremacy(70 Tahun Dr. Wahiduddin Adams, S.H. M.A. Dalam Pusaran Kehidupan dan Supremasi Konstitusi)”. Meanwhile, Manahan created a book titled “Ora et Labora: The Struggle Tarutung Kid as a Justice (Ora Et Labora: Perjuangan dan Pergulatan Anak Tarutung Menjadi Pengadil)”. Then Arsul Sani’s book is titled “National Security and Human Rights Protection: Counterterrorism Dialectic in Indonesia (Keamanan Nasional dan Perlindungan HAM: Dialektika Kontraterorisme di Indonesia)

During his remarks on the Launching of Constitutional Justices’ Books in 2024, Chief Justice Suhartoyo believed that society would gain new and more valuable knowledge from the books launched by constitutional justices. “By reading the books, we will broaden our knowledge and our views, and then we can be more well informed on the things we don’t know,” he said.

According to Suhartoyo, he remembered that the book “Attuning to What’s Right” was inspired by debates in the courtroom. At that time, there was an argument from the government that said, “These particular practices are common.” Then, Suhartoyo added, Wahiduddin said that we should not justify something that is usually done but get used to something right.

“Because justifying something we used to may not be the right thing to do, but when we get used to doing what's right, that is proven right. I hold on to that quote from my days in MK”, Suhartoyo said.

Suhartoyo did not expect that it had exceptional philosophy and became the title of a critical book by Wahiduddin Adams. Other extraordinary philosophies can also be found in books written by Manahan Sitompul and Arsul Sani.

Suhartoyo hoped these books being launched today would not be the final pieces of each writer. Suhartoyo hoped Wahiduddin Adams and Manahan would continuously lay out their thoughts and ideas into writings amid their busy activities after their term of office from MK. The hope was also directed to Arsul Sani so that he can deepen his writing hobby in MK, which employees are also keen to write.

 ”I remember a creator of a writer once said that one may have the vastest knowledge, but if he/she refuses to write, all that knowledge will be gone by history. Hence, this morning, I can infer that my friends and his excellencies keen to write are great people, meaning they want to lay out their ideas and thoughts for eternity. That is the crucial note this morning”, Suhartoyo said.

Books Overview

Wahiduddin Adams, Constitutional Justice for the period of 2014-2019 and 2019-2023, explained that the book titled Attuning to What’s Right consists of various academic literature contributed by prominent figures, law experts, and critical thinkers who are aware of legal issues, and work to figure out and find solutions. In addition, the book contains commentaries and the testimony of close friends and people in his life.

Meanwhile, the book titled 70 Years of Dr. Wahiduddin Adams, S.H., M.A., at the Center of Constitutional Life and Supremacy is an autobiography telling stories of his life journey as Wahiduddin Adams. Starting from his childhood in his hometown, taking education in the capital city, getting ahead of his career at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, becoming a lecturer in his alma mater, and becoming a constitutional justice.

“I present these two books so that they can be a valuable contribution at the end of my term of office as a constitutional justice,” Wahiduddin said.

Then, Manahan Sitompul, Constitutional Justice for the period of 2015-2020 and 2020-2023, briefly explained his book titled Ora Et Labora: The Struggle of Taruting Kid to Become Justice. The books consist of his experiences as a judge at the ordinary court and constitutional justice. In this book, Manahan expresses his thoughts on the struggle of a judge in deciding a case by bringing forth judicial activism paradigm theory and open legal policy issues.

“I thought that this book would be beneficial for the next generation, for young judges, students, and practitioners to serve as a comparison to their own experiences,” Manahan said.

Arsul Sani, Constitutional Justice for 2024-2029, briefly reviewed his book National Security and Human Rights Protection: Counterterrorism Dialectic in Indonesia. This book is translated and adapted from his doctorate study at a European university. The focus of this book is on the legal policy study and its implementation in counterterrorism in Indonesia, with the main focus on the aftermath of the first Bali bombing in October 2002.

“However, this book also discusses the historical aspects of the legal policy and implementation of counterterrorism after Indonesian independence. It serves as a connecting point between legal policy and its implementation currently applied with the previous periods, including Old Order, New Order, and Reform Order before the first Bali bombing,” Arsul explained.

Court Academic tradition

At the same time, the Secretary General of MK, Heru Setiawan, in his report, said that launching the Constitutional Justices’ books is a means to maintain the MK’s academic tradition. Within five years, MK has launched 150 books written by constitutional justices, retired constitutional justices, and MK’s employees.

“The goal of this book-writing cannot be separated from the effort to strengthen MK's culture and academic tradition. It cannot be denied that the MK’s working atmosphere is substantial and always supported by academic nuance,” Heru said.

As information, constitutional justices attended the book launch. Also present at the event were Constitutional Justice of the First Period, Jimly Asshidiqie, and several guests. After the event, Arsul Sani left for the State Palace to take oath as a constitutional justice for 2024-2029 before President Joko Widodo.

Author       : Mimi Kartika
Editor        : Nur R.
Translator  : Rizky Kurnia Chaesario (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.


Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 13:35 WIB 57