Avoid Conflict Of Interest, Become Constitutional Judge Arsul Sani Releases Position In DPR And PPP

Constitutional judge Arsul Sani gave a press statement after being officially inaugurated by President Joko Widodo at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (18/1/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Arsul Sani, who was just appointed by President Joko Widodo as a constitutional judge on Thursday, stated that he had resigned from his position as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"According to the laws of the Constitutional Court and the MD3 Law, a Constitutional Court judge cannot concurrently become a state official," said Arsul Sani after the inauguration at the State Palace, quoted by ANTARA in Jakarta, Thursday, January 18.

Arsul's resignation from a member of Commission III of the DPR RI as well as deputy chairman of the MPR RI was submitted in December 2023, after he was declared to have passed the fit and proper test as a candidate for constitutional judge in 2024 at the DPR's proposal.

"Then, a judge at the Constitutional Court should not be a member, let alone a political party leader. So, I have also submitted, in December, resignation from office and membership in the United Development Party (PPP)," he added.

In addition, to comply with the regulation that a Constitutional Court judge is not allowed to practice law elsewhere, Arsul explained that he had resigned as deputy chairman of the Advisory Council of the National Leadership Council (DPN) of the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi).

Arsul also stated that he had withdrawn from a legal office partnership, where he had joined before becoming a member of the DPR.

"So, everything must be clear (clear), when it comes to clean (cleaning) it still has to be proven later (when on duty at the Constitutional Court)," he said.

Arsul Sani was inaugurated as a constitutional judge based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) RI Number 102/P of 2023 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of Constitutional Justices submitted by the DPR. The Presidential Decree is set on October 24, 2023.

Citing the MK page, Arsul was proposed by the DPR as a constitutional judge to replace the retired Wahiduddin Adams for retiring for 70 years on January 17, 2024.

Arsul received primary education to high school (SMA) in his hometown, Pekalongan, Central Java, then continued his education at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia.

He continued his higher education by taking a Master Communication program at the School of Communication Science The London School of Public Relations as well as a doctoral program majoring in Justice and Policy at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Arsul contributes to the world of Indonesian law and politics, ranging from being active in various organizations to the Legal Aid Institute (LBH).