Moeldoko Affirms Giving Merits To The Constitutional Court Judges Will Not Disturb Independence

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff, Moeldoko, said that the awarding of honors for Constitutional Court Judges 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.

Moeldoko said that the awarding of an honorary star had been carried out with the existing procedure. From starting to accept the proposed names from each institution with a number of reasons to meeting, and it was decided that it had been adjusted.

"So there is a board forum formed by the president. The chairman of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, my deputy, next is Mr. Agus (Agus Surhartono, red), the former TNI Commander, followed by Mrs. Meutia Hatta, Pak Anhar Gonggong, and the secretary is Sesmil. suggestions and input from the institution include those who yesterday determined the (title, red) hero, "he said.

"There is a mechanism that filters out whether or not it is appropriate," added Moeldoko.

Previously, on November 11, President Jokowi gave a sign of honor Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana to the Chairman of the Constitutional Court 2018-2021 Anwar Usman, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia 2015-2018 and Constitutional Justice of the Republic of Indonesia 2018-2023 Arief Hidayat, and Deputy Chief Justice of the Indonesian Constitutional Court 2018- 2021 Aswanto.

Furthermore, the president also gave the Main Mahaputera Star to the Constitutional Justice of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2014-2019 and 2019-2024 Periods Wahiduddin Adams, the Indonesian Constitutional Justice for the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 Period Suhartoyo, and the Indonesian Constitutional Justice for the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 Periods Manahan MP Sitompul.