Anwar Usman Becomes Chief Justice Of The Constitutional Court Again, Member Of Commission III Of The DPR: We Hope It's Not A 'participation Of The Palace' Factor

Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman at the Constitutional Court Building in Jakarta, Thursday 27 June 2019. (Between-Hafidz M)

Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives Nasir Djamil admitted that he suspected that Anwar Usman was elected as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) again. Anwar received five votes defeating Arief Hidayat who received four votes from nine existing constitutional judges.

"I already suspect that Mr. Arif will definitely lose even if he has one voice with Mr. Anwar," Nasir told reporters, Friday, March 17.

The PKS politician explained that he had a previous feeling that Anwar would serve again for the 2023-2028 term of service due to his closeness to the Palace environment.

As is known, Anwar is President Joko Widodo's sister-in-law since May 2022.

"Although the Palace may say we are not intervening, we do not interfere, but I have a feeling that the Palace factor also affects it," said Nasir. He also hopes that Anwar can carry out his duties according to the constitution even though he has become Jokowi's brother-in-law.

"We hope that Pak Anwar will be re-elected as chairman of the Constitutional Court not only because of his factor in being 'part of the Palace people'. But indeed because maybe his performance has been the chairman," hoped Nasir. Because, the Aceh electoral district legislator is worried about a conflict of interest in Anwar's election as chairman of the Constitutional Court again. Moreover, the 2024 election is in sight.

"Of course, people's concerns regarding the existence of a conflict of interest cannot be prevented. Because in the future there will be decisions related to the presidential and regional elections," explained Nasir. The nine Constitutional Court judges at the Constitutional Court Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 15. The nine Constitutional Court judges are Anwar Usman, Arief Hidayat, Wahiduddin Adams, Suhartoyo, Manahan Sitompul, Saldi Isra, Enny Nurbaningsih, Daniel Yusmic Pancastaki Foekh, and Guntur Hamzah.

The election of Anwar Usman as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court occurred after the drama was re-elected three times. First, there are two names who get the same votes between Anwar Usman and Arief Hidayat.

Anwar Usman and Arief Hidayat both received four votes. Meanwhile, there is one ballot that is declared invalid because it circles two names.

The second vote, Anwar Usman and Arief Hidayat, again received the same vote until the third vote was held.

Finally, in the third vote, Anwar Usman received five votes and Arief Hidayat had four votes. That way, Anwar Usman returned to his position as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

"With the election of the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for the term of 2023-2028, the plenary meeting has been completed. I need to convey a special plenary meeting of the Constitutional Court with the agenda of pronunciation of the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court for the term of 2023-2028 as well as with the Deputy Chairperson of the Constitutional Court which will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 11.00 WIB in the Plenary Session Room of the Constitutional Court," said Anwar Usman.