Remembering Gus Dur's Words, Rieke Diah To Mahfud MD: This Is The Way From Allah To Restore The Luxury Of The Constitutional Court

PDI-P politician Rieke Diah Pitaloka (left) and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs as well as prospective vice presidential candidate in 2024 Mahfud MD (right). BETWEEN/Personal Documentation

PDI-P politician Rieke Diah Pitaloka hopes that the 2024 vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD can restore the dignity of the Constitutional Court (MK) after decisions related to the age limit of presidential candidates (candidates) and vice presidential candidates which are said to be controversial. Rieke said that the hope as the guardian of the constitution was entrusted to Mahfud, because he was going to be vice presidential candidate to accompany the PDI-P presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, as well as national and former chairman of the Constitutional Court. "A few days ago, we (Rieke and Mahfud, ed.) had a serious discussion, more serious than before. Your face was more 'turning up' than usual. It can't be told. What is clear, today's incident is not to'retaliate' events that were delayed in 2019 because we are all struggling. Don't break the constitution anymore," Rieke said in his statement in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, October 18. In a conversation with Mahfud, Rieke said, what is happening to the Constitutional Court at this time should not be repeated in the future. He stressed that the Constitutional Court must be freed from the assumption that the interests of a handful of people are full. "Indonesia is a state of law. The constitution is in the highest hierarchy. We agree, if Allah permits a decision this morning, until registration to the KPU there are no obstacles, this is the way from Allah to restore the dignity of the Constitutional Court," he said. Furthermore, Rieke recalled the figure of the Fourth President of Indonesia, the late Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) who said that Mahfud MD was the guardian of the constitution. "Last year at the RSCM, Mr. Mahfud and I accompanied Gus Dur. Only three of us, at that time Prof. Mahfud was about to fight in the Constitutional Court. When Prof came home, Gus Dur said, 'guard the constitution'," Rieke recalled. On the other hand, Rieke mentioned Mahfud's declaration as Ganjar's future vice presidential candidate today starting from Ganjar's visit to the cultural residence of Butet Kartaredjasa cultural observer in Yogyakarta. "Today's incident, starting from jambal diplomacy, pette cooks Bu Ageng at Butet Kertaradjasa's house in Yogyakarta. Mas Butet, always healthy. Until today we are. Continue 'ReLIGION' (Ganjar-Mahfud) 2024," said Rieke. Meanwhile, to the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Anwar Usman, Rieke said that human plans or decisions would certainly not be able to exceed the power of God Almighty. "Sebaik-baiknya rencana manusia, hanya rencana Tuhan yang terbaik dan pasti terjadi. Sebanyak-besarnya kekuatan manusia, tak akan mampu kelaluhi kekuatan sang Maha Kuasa," tuturnya. The day before the registration of presidential and vice presidential candidates in 2024, the General Chairperson of the PDI-P (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri announced Mahfud MD as a prospective vice presidential candidate who accompanied Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 presidential election contestation.

"Today, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, I firmly, I make decisions to all, I aim as much for the interests of the people, nation and state by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, the vice presidential candidate chosen by PDIP who will accompany Ganjar Pranowo is Prof. Dr. Mahfud MD," Megawati said at the PDIP DPP Office, Jakarta, Wednesday.