JAKARTA Memories of today, 15 years ago, March 16, 2008, the former Minister of Defense (Menhan), Mahfud MD was chosen as the Judge of the Indonesian Constitution. Mahfud's election is based on his proven capacity in the field of law. Mahfud feels that serving as a constitutional judge is better than being a member of the DPR.
For him, the position as a member of the DPR is a lot of time. The discussion that was raised during the trial was far from the matter discussed. He also agreed with Gus Dur's opinion that the DPR is like a kindergarten.
Mahfud's existence as a state official began a lot during the time of President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). Gus Dur's leadership made Mahfud, who is in the National Awakening Party (PKB), also orbit.
He was appointed by Gus Dur as minister twice. First as Minister of Defense. Second, as Minister of Justice and Human Rights. He underwent this position well. He became a straight figure with integrity. His career as a minister ended when Gus Dur stepped down as President of Indonesia.
Mahfud did not remain silent. He wants to continue to devote himself to the nation and state. He also tried a new field in his career. The choice fell to members of the DPR (2004-2008). He saw the role of the DPR so great for the sustainability of the Indonesian people's lives.
He asked for the blessing of PKB officials, Gus Dur. However, Gus Dur reminded Mahfud that his knowledge would be useless if it was distributed in the DPR. Gus Dur instead advised Mahfud to enter the Supreme Court.
Mahfud also chose to try to become a member of the DPR first and Gus Dur allowed it. Even though Mahfud then agreed with Gus Dur that the DPR was like a kindergarten.
When I was really elected as a member of the DPR, I prepared myself seriously. Books about parliament, the legislative process, arguing techniques, constitutional theory, and legislation, I prepared to compete in the DPR. However, once I was sworn in and started participating in the DPR sessions, I was a bit'shocked' because of what Gus Dur had said that the DPR seemed like a "cubicle".
The quality books that I prepared to compete in the DPR were useless, because they were not needed there. On the first day of the DPR session, I had the impression that what was needed wascelometan expertise, fighting without a direction through misguided interruptions. Imagine, a new trial was opened and a new leader gave an introduction, there were shouts of interruptions," Mahfud said in Gus Dur's book: Islam, politics, and Nationality (2010).
His career in the DPR also ended when he began to take part in the fit and proper test of the candidate for constitutional judge. He was able to excel in the election of candidates for constitutional judges who were elected by all party factions. As a result, Mahfud was elected as a constitutional judge on March 16, 2008.
Mahfud was just appointed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace as a constitutional judge on April 1, 2008. The procession made Mahfud MD leave the DPR and enter the world he likes. He also has the authority of the Constitutional Court (MK) as one of the perpetrators of judicial power.
On March 16, 2008, Mahfud was elected as Constitutional Justice. Shortly after, on August 19 in the same year, he replaced Jimly Asshidigie as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. At the Constitutional Court, Mahfud seemed to have rediscovered his world. He revealed: I got inner satisfaction as a constitutional judge. When in the DPR, all my arguments in discussing certain problems evaporated. So it's no longer a matter of material matter, "is written in the book Petarung Politik (2014).
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