Yusril Quotes Satjipto Rahardjo's Sentence: Law Exists For Humans, Not Humans For Law

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the constitution was obliged to demonstrate three sources of legal character in Indonesia.

This was conveyed by Yusril Ihza Mahendra when giving a legal presentation at an international law conference held by Andalas University, West Sumatra, in Padang, Monday, November 3.

"The government's constitutional obligation is not to choose a source or a legal reform route, but to orchestrate everything," said Yusril, quoted by Antara.

Yusril said that legal reforms in Indonesia are at the intersection of three strong legal traditions, namely the western law which introduces modern codifications and institutions.

Second, Islamic law that regulates matters of personal status and develops rapidly in the field of sharia economy, as well as customary law that reflects a sense of justice in local society.

According to Yusril, the government must orchestrate all three in order to recognize the laws that live without neglecting equality, develop sharia-based systems within the framework of professional governance, and ensure that the modified laws remain relevant to the changing times.

In his presentation, Yusril said that the journey of Indonesian legal reform was still unfinished because there was still a real gap between formal laws written on paper and the sense of justice felt by the people.

On that occasion, Yusril, who is also Professor of Constitutional Law, quoted the words of professor emeritus in the field of law, Professor Satjipto Rahardjo, who said "law exists for humans, not humans for the law".

This sentence means that the law must serve the needs and values of humanity in society.

"In this context, we need to pay close attention to the classic phenomenon of injustice, justice can not always be achieved only through procedural or formal equality, but must also guarantee accessibility and substantive justice," Yusril explained.