Anwar Usman's Defense Claims To Be Defamed, Assessed Of Reaping The Image And Dignity Of Judges

Former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Anwar Usman (Dhit Ayu/VOI)

JAKARTA - UII Yogyakarta Constitutional Law expert, Anang Zubaidy, assessed that Anwar Usman's statement in responding to the decision of the Honorary Council of the Constitutional Court (MKMK) actually degraded his dignity and image as a judge. It is known, Usman was dismissed as chairman of the Constitutional Court because he was proven to have violated the judge's code of ethics related to the trial for the decision on the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"This means that the form of self-defense conveyed by Anwar Usman is an unnecessary form of self-defense. In my opinion, it degrades his image and dignity," said Anang in his statement, Thursday, November 9.

According to Anang, Anwar Usman's defense was very inappropriate because his serious ethical violations had been proven in the MKMK trial.

"That's a serious violation. Then the person concerned still considers himself a victim that's not right, playing victim," he said.

The Director of the RISE Institute is of the opinion that Anwar's statement as a victim of slander does not match the facts. Moreover, he had introduced himself as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court and part of President Joko Widodo's family. "It seems to show 'I am part of the palace family' who need recognition from other parties," he explained.

Phrases of slander, he added, also did not fit Anwar's statement. "The word slander must be proven the truth. The mechanism of the proof is at the MKMK trial," he continued.

Anang also said that the Constitutional Court's decision did not match the public expectations that wanted Anwar Usman to be removed as a constitutional judge. Anwar was only fired as chairman of the Constitutional Court if he did not resign on personal initiatives. "Personally, I am also disappointed with the Constitutional Court's decision, but that has become a legal fact, so we have received it. The community, I hope, does not prolong this problem too much. It is enough that we focus on how to oversee the Constitutional Court in the future, so that the Constitutional Court can maintain its dignity," he concluded. Previously, Anwar Usman felt slandered in the handling of case Number 90/PUU-XI/2023 regarding the presidential and vice presidential age limit. He called the slander unfounded. "The slander addressed to me, related to the handling of case Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023, is a very heinous slander, and is not based on law at all," Anwar said at a press conference at the MK office, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 8.

Anwar emphasized that he would not sacrifice himself, his dignity, and honor at the end of his tenure as a judge in order to pass certain pairs of candidates. According to him, in the era of democracy the people will determine who the president and vice president will be.

"Besides, the PUU case only concerns norms, not concrete cases. And the decision-making is also a collegial collective by 9 constitutional judges, not just a chairman," said Anwar.

"Similarly, in today's democracy, it is the people who will determine who the candidate for leader will be, as president and vice president," he added.