Silfester Matutina Sick, PK Session Postponed Next Week

JAKARTA - The Judicial Review Session (PK) proposed by Silfester Matutina regarding cases of slander against the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents, Jusuf Kalla, was decided to be postponed for a week.

Public Relations of the South Jakarta District Court, Rio Barten, said that the panel of judges decided to postpone the trial because the petitioner, namely Silfester Matutina, did not attend due to illness.

"So today the court received a letter that has been forwarded to the panel of judges from the attorney for PK applicant Silfester Matutina. The letter stated that the applicant could not attend because he was sick, complete with a doctor's statement," Rio told reporters, Wednesday, August 20.

The letter stated that Silfester experienced chest pain. So it takes five days to rest.

Therefore, the panel of judges then decided to postpone the trial until Wednesday, August 27, 2025, with a note that Silfester must be present in person.

Rio emphasized that according to the Circular Letter of the Supreme Court (SEMA) Number 1 of 2012 and the results of the plenary room at the Supreme Court, PK applicants are required to attend the trial on their own. The regulation is different from the situation if the applicant is already in a correctional institution, which allows the attorney to represent him.

"In this case, the applicant must be present at the trial himself. That is the principle," explained Rio.

If later the Silfester is absent again, Rio said it is entirely under the authority of the panel of judges. However, the absence of the applicant has an impact or a consequence of the continuation of the PK.

"If it is not attended directly, it will not meet the requirements," said Rio.

Silfester Matutina officially submitted a PK application on August 5, 2025 at the South Jakarta District Court. The inaugural trial will be held on August 20, 2025.