University of Indonesia Faculty of Law lecturer Sulistyowati Irianto, accompanied by socio-political observer from Jakarta State University Ubedilah Badrun, submitting an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) for the panel of Constitutional Court (MK) justices who hearing the 2024 General Election Results Dispute (PHPU) case. Photo: MKRI/Teguh

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JAKARTA (MKRI) — The Constitutional Court (MK) received an amicus curiae (lit. “friends of the court”) brief from 303 academics and civilians amid the 2024 general election results disputes (PHPU). The brief was written by law lecturer of Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta Benediktus Hestu Cipto Handoyo; Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) law lecturers Dian Agung Wicaksono, Marcus Priyo Gunarto, and Rimawan Pradiptyo; and Universitas Indonesia law lecturer Sulistyowati Irianto.

This Amicus Curiae was proposed to the Constitutional Court by representatives of the Alliance of Academics and Civil Society, namely socio-political observers from the State University of Jakarta Ubedilah Badrun and Sulistyowati Irianto onThursday, March 28, 2024. They were welcome by the acting head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau Budi Wijayanto and head of the National Affairs and Institutional Relations Division Andi Hakim in the Court’s second building

Sulistyowati emphasized that the purpose of this Amicus Curiae was to seek justice in the process of  the 2024 General Election Results Dispute (PHPU) at the Constitutional Court. These academics and members of civil society position themselves as Friends of the Court, dedicated to ensuring justice and fair decision.

" We have chosen to act as Amicus Curiae (Friends of the Court), to convey to the justices that we stand behind them in their endeavor to render a fair decision in the process of resolving this presidential election dispute," Sulistyowati conveyed to the media crew of the Constitutional Court.

He explained that the Constitutional Court as the highest institution and the justices have the duty to be the gateway to justice. Therefore, justices must maintain high independence, seen as a natural right from God, with justices regarded as representatives of the divine in the earthly realm.

"So, both justices and lecturers must fulfill their duties by upholding moral and ethical values. Our collective efforts aim to protect the constitution. No matter what challenges arise, we must uphold the constitution and safeguard democracy in our country," Sulistyowati said.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Amicus Curiae include pointing out that the General Elections Commission (KPU) misinterpreted Constitutional Court Decision No. 90/PUU-XXI/2023, which was a plurality decision, regarding the selection of the Vice Presidential Candidate for Candidate Pair Number 02. According to the Alliance of Academics and Civil Society, Gibran Rakabuming Raka does not fulfill the requirements for the vice presidency. Therefore, they urge the Constitutional Court, with all its wisdom, to confidently declare the disqualification of Vice Presidential Candidate Number 02.

"[Judges] serve as the guardians of justice in our world, the esteemed bastion where those seeking justice and members of the broader community come, expecting legal breakthroughs to be created, and the highest law to be born, particularly ensuring justice for the marginalized and powerless," reads the statement from the Amicus Curiae.

On the other hand, Budi Wijayanto said that his party would convey this Amicus Curiae to Chief Justice Suhartoyo and other justices. He also appreciated the attention conveyed by the Alliance of Academics and Civil Society

Author : Mimi Kartika
Editor : Lulu Anjarsari P.
Translator : Yuniar Widiastuti (RA)

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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