Anwar Usman Removed, Mahfud MD: Legally Don't Have To Resign, Morally Ethics His Business

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (left) after providing Scientific Oration in the 57th Anniversary of Pancasila University at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Thursday (9/11/2023). (ANTARA/Sanya Dinda)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Anwar Usman did not have to resign from his position as a constitutional judge. "Legally, (Anwar Usman) does not have to resign. Morally and ethically, whether he wants to resign or not, he should not be forced (to resign) or prohibited," Mahfud said after giving Scientific Oration in the 57th Anniversary of Pancasila University at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, November 9. Based on the applicable regulations, Anwar Usman, who has been removed from the position of chairman of the Constitutional Court, is not obliged to resign from his position as Judge of the Constitutional Court. Mahfud said that the sanctions imposed on Anwar Usman for violating the code of ethics had complied with the applicable rules. "Basically, his business, he has the right to defend himself, has the right to seek other arguments. But the decision of the Constitutional Court's Honorary Council has been completed, it is final, in the future the date is running. No one can force Mr. Anwar to resign," he said. Mahfud MD also said that Anwar Usman, who felt slandered, conveyed his response to the MKMK who decided to sanction his code of ethics. "Just go to the one who decides (if you feel slandered)," he said. In addition, Mahfud was reluctant to respond to accusations that he had also been involved in a conflict of interest in deciding the case when he was Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. Previously, former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman felt slandered viciously in connection with case handling Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 regarding the minimum age requirements for presidential candidates (candidates) and vice presidential candidates (cawapres). On Tuesday (7/11), the Honorary Council concluded that Anwar Usman proved not to carry out his leadership function optimally and was proven to have deliberately opened up an outside intervention room in the case decision-making process Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023.

Anwar was declared to have committed a serious violation of the code of ethics and behavior of the constitutional judge. Anwar was sentenced to dismissal from his position as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. "Imposing sanctions for dismissal from the position of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court to the reported judge," said Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Jimly Asshiddiqie when reading the verdict at the Constitutional Court Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/11).