The legal counsel for the Petitioner for the Judicial Review of the Batanghari Regency Law filed the revised main points of the petition to the panel of Constitutional Justices. Photo by PR/Ilham WM.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) - The Constitutional Court (MK) again held a hearing on Law Number 37 of 2024 concerning Batanghari Regency in Jambi Province (Batanghari Regency Law), on Wednesday (7/5/2025) in the MK Courtroom. This judicial review application was filled by Batanghari Regent Fadhil Arief and Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Chairman Rahmad Hasrofi, registered as Case Number 31/PUU-XXIII/2025.

The hearing for the revision of this case was held on Wednesday (7/5/2025) in the Plenary Courtroom of the Constitutional Court led by Constitutional Justice Arief Hidayat. In the session, Vernandus Hamonangan as the Petitioner’s legal counsel, explained that the revision of the petition had included the state gazette number.

Also read: Adjustment of Name and Establishment Date of Batanghari Regency Challenged at the Constitutional Court

"Furthermore, there is an improvement in the Petitioners' position where elaboration has been carried out between the Regent and the Batanghari DPRD Chairman," he said. Related to the five requirements for constitutional loss, continued Vernandus, there is an addition to point 7.2 on page 7.

Previously, the adjustment of this Regency name, according to the Petitioners, confuses regional identity that are widely known by the community. The name “Batanghari Regency” has historical value, established since December 1st, 1948 through the Regulation of the Commissioner of Bukittinggi Central Government No: 81/KOM/U. The celebration of the Anniversary of Batang Hari Regency which is routinely commemorated every December 1 is a form of respect for local history and culture.

The Petitioners consider that the writing of "Batanghari" without a space in the Batanghari Regency Law confuses regional identity, including location, culture, and distinctive characteristics that are widely known by the community. They argued that this is contrary to the constitutional authority stipulated in Article 18 paragraphs (2) and (5) of the 1945 Constitution, which requires regions to protect local cultural and historical values. In addition to the issue, the Petitioners also questioned the date of establishment of the regency as stated in Article 2 of the Batanghari Regency Law. The a quo Law states that the date of the formation of Batanghari Regency was March 29, 1956, referring to Law Number 12 of 1956. However, the Petitioners consider this to be contrary to historical facts and propose that the formation date be returned to December 1, 1948, as stated in the regulation issued in Bukittinggi on November 30, 1948.

In their petitum, the Petitioners asked the Court to declare that the phrase “Batanghari Regency” in Law Number 37 of 2024 is contrary to the 1945 Constitution and has no binding legal force insofar as it is not interpreted as “Batang Hari Regency.” They also requested that the provisions of Article 2 regarding the date of formation be corrected in accordance with the history of the formation of the region on December 1, 1948.

 

Author: Utami Argawati
Editor: Lulu Anjarsari P.
PR: Tiara Agustina

Translator: SO

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 prevails.

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