Bintang Mahaputera For MK Judges Touched By Lawyers At The Job Creation Law Session

Session at the Constitutional Court (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - One of the attorneys for the judicial review of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation alluded to the awards of Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana and Bintang Mahaputera Utama received by six constitutional judges.

In a virtual inaugural session at the Constitutional Court building, Jakarta, Thursday, the petitioner's attorney Jovi Andrea Bachtiar asked the constitutional judges to be independent in examining the judicial review of the Job Creation Act.

"It is certain that the Bintang Mahaputera award received by six constitutional judges some time ago does not affect the integrity and independence of the constitutional judges to objectively assess and consider the application for a formal review of the Job Creation Law," said Jovi Andrea Bachtiar, quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 12th.

Furthermore, on the occasion of the formal examination, he argued that the formation of the Job Creation Law violated the principles and provisions of the procedure as well as the law formation mechanism.

Responding to the statement, Constitutional Justice Arief Hidayat asked for clarification of the argument regarding whether the award received by the constitutional judges would be included in the revision of the petition or not.

The applicant's legal team then said that they would not include this and would only make improvements related to the substance of the formal test request.

"Well, it is considered non-existent, yes, you are prejudiced, that is not allowed," said Arief Hidayat, who then asked if this was to be included in the revision of the petition.

The applicants for the petition were a private employee named Hakiimi Irawan Bangkid Pamungkas, a student named Novita Widyana and a student named Elin Dian Sulistiyowati, Alin Septiana and Ali Sujito.

Moeldoko affirms that Bintang Jasa does not interfere with independence

Presidential Chief of Staff, Moeldoko, said that giving a token of honor to justices of the Constitutional Court (MK) would not interfere with the independence of the institution.

This was conveyed by him after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave his services to a number of parties including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Constitutional Court for the 2018-2021 period Anwar Usman and Aswanto.

"Will giving honorary marks to the Constitutional Court judges reduce independence? No," Moeldoko told reporters in Jakarta, Thursday, November 12.

The former TNI commander explained that there were a number of MK judges who had received similar service stars. They are Jimly Asshidiqie, Hamdan Zoelva, and a number of other judges. Even so, they are still able to carry out their duties properly until their term ends.

Moeldoko said that the awarding of services was carried out because the Constitutional Court judges had carried out their duties properly.

"Once again, the president as the head of state gave it because he implemented the constitution. There is a constitution. There is a basis," he said.

"Bintang (service, red) was held with the aim of paying special tribute to those who have contributed greatly to the integrity, continuity and glory of the Republic of Indonesia," he added.