The Constitutional Court Will Form A Permanent Honorary Council As Soon As Possible

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK) Suhartoyo promised to form a permanent Honorary Council of the Constitutional Court (MKMK) after the change of position of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

In several previous cases, MKMK was formed ad hoc in handling reports on alleged violations of the code of ethics and behavior of constitutional judges.

This was conveyed by Suhartoyo after reading his oath of office as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for the period 2023-2028 replacing Anwar Usman who was dismissed by the MKMK.

"As a step to our initial proof, and in accordance with the demands and expectations of the community, the Constitutional Court will also permanently accelerate the formation of the Honorary Council of the Constitutional Court," Suhartoyo said at the Constitutional Court building, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 13.

Suhartoyo emphasized that the establishment of this permanent MKMK is the commitment of constitutional judges to work hand in hand in rebuilding public trust and muruah MK in realizing judicial power.

Bearing in mind, the Constitutional Court has just passed one of the unprecedented stages of institutional crisis, namely the violation of the code of ethics of the judges, especially Anwar Usman, on the decision of the presidential and vice presidential age limit.

"In that context, the Constitutional Court certainly cannot continue to lament this recently occurring event. We also understand that there are high expectations and expectations that are borne by me as the new Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court to restore and increase public trust in the Court," Suhartoyo explained.

According to Suhartoyo, the formation of the MKMK permanently must be realized after the previous ad hoc duties of the three MKMK members ended, namely Jimly Asshiddiqie, Wahiduddin Adams, and Bintan R. Saragih.

However, Suhartoyo and Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Saldi Isra, admitted that they could not confirm whether the composition of the MKMK members to be formed had changed or remained.

"It must go through a judge's meeting for the judge's deliberation. So, the constellation depends on the agreement of the judges, it can change, it can be fixed, it really depends on Your Majesty and we will also discuss later," he said.

In addition to forming a permanent MKMK, Suhartoyo will also open up space for the public to participate in providing input, suggestions, and constructive criticism as a form of public participation which is currently encouraging the improvement of the performance of the Constitutional Court and strengthening the Indonesian democratic climate.

According to Suhartoyo, there are still public demands that need to be achieved and fulfilled together by the judges, especially efforts to improve the quality of the verdict, as has become one of the Constitutional Court's institutional missions.

"For this reason, I will strengthen support for handling constitutional cases as well as increase motivation and sense of belonging from the employees of the Constitutional Court in order to create a more harmonious, focused, and balanced working atmosphere," he explained.