Constitutional Court Assistant Justice Zaka Firma Aditya received a visit from students of the Sharia Faculty at Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University (UIN Malang) on Thursday (October 3, 2024). Photo by MKRI/Fauzan.

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JAKARTA, MKRI – Students from the Sharia Faculty of Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University (UIN Malang) visited the Court on October 3, 2024. They learned about the constitution and the ins and outs of the Court with Assistant Justice Zaka Firma Aditya.

Zaka explained several authorities of the Court, including its jurisdiction to adjudicate at the first and last instance, with decisions that are final for testing laws against the Constitution (UUD). Every citizen can file a request for judicial review of laws they believe contradict the 1945 Constitution.

“If you feel there are articles or laws that seem biased or unclear, which could lead to multiple interpretations, you can submit it to the Constitutional Court at no cost. You don’t even need to come to the Court in person; you can use the electronic (online) system,” Zaka stated in the Court Delegation Room, Central Jakarta.

Additionally, the Court has the authority to resolve disputes over the authority of state institutions as granted by the Constitution; to decide on the dissolution of political parties; and to adjudicate disputes regarding election results. The Court has also gained additional authority to resolve disputes regarding regional head election results, as these fall under the electoral regime.

“This year, from March to June, we resolved disputes over the results of the presidential and vice-presidential elections, as well as legislative and DPD elections. Later in December, we will also resolve disputes over regional head elections,” Zaka explained.

The Court is also required to make decisions based on the opinions of the House of Representatives (DPR) regarding allegations of violations committed by the president and/or vice president according to the Constitution. The violations mentioned are outlined in Article 7A of the 1945 Constitution, which includes legal violations such as treason against the state, corruption, bribery, other criminal acts, or disgraceful conduct, and/or failing to meet the requirements as president and/or vice president as specified in the 1945 Constitution.

However, the impeachment process is not easy and takes a long time. To date, the Court has never issued a ruling based on DPR opinions to initiate such impeachment processes. The Court has also not ruled on the dissolution of political parties as requested by the government.

In addition to the discussion, students had the opportunity to visit the Constitutional History Center (Puskon) at the Court. Puskon is an educational facility that documents the dynamics of constitutional history and the Court, presented through a blend of information, art, and technology. Puskon is located on the 5th and 6th floors of Building 1 of the Court, covering an area of 1,462 m² divided into eight zones. The 5th floor starts from the Pre-Independence zone to the 1945 Constitution Amendment zone, while the 6th floor represents the Court zone.

Author            : Mimi Kartika
Editor            : N. Rosi
Translator       : Agusweka Poltak Siregar (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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