Anwar Usman Bids Farewell to Constitutional Court, Apologises to Public

Constitutional Court judge Anwar Usman has bidden farewell and offered an apology to the public during a judgment reading session at the Constitutional Court (MK) in Jakarta on Monday 16 March. This marked his final session at the constitutional bench before completing almost 15 years of service at the institution.

During the session presided over by Constitutional Court Chief Suhartoyo, Anwar delivered a judgment on case number 176/PUU-XXIII/2025 regarding statutory testing. Before commencing the judgment reading, he offered a sincere apology concerning his lengthy tenure at the constitutional guardianship institution.

“From the depths of my heart, I offer my apologies,” Anwar stated in the plenary session room of the Constitutional Court building in Jakarta on Monday 16 March.

Anwar, uncle of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, predicted that this session represented his final opportunity to sit in judgment. According to regulations, his term will expire on 6 April 2026.

“This may be my final session. On 6 April 2026, I will have completed 15 years of service at the Constitutional Court,” he stated.

He acknowledged that during his tenure as constitutional judge, not all his decisions or actions had been universally accepted.

“Naturally, over such a lengthy period, there have been matters that were displeasing, whether intentional or unintentional. For this reason, from the depths of my heart, I offer my sincere apologies,” Anwar said.

Anwar Usman’s journey at the Constitutional Court began on 6 April 2011 as a representative from the Supreme Court (MA). His career peaked when he was elected Constitutional Court Chief for 2018–2023. However, near the conclusion of his tenure, he was removed from that position.

During his service, Anwar attracted public scrutiny on several occasions. The greatest controversy emerged following Constitutional Court decision number 90/PUU-XXI/2023, which altered the age requirements for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The decision opened the possibility for local leaders under 40 years old to run as presidential or vice-presidential candidates.

The decision sparked considerable debate as it was deemed to have paved the way for Gibran, who was then serving as Solo Mayor, to run as a vice-presidential candidate.

This controversy led to an investigation by the Constitutional Court’s Honour Assembly (MKMK), then chaired by Jimly Asshiddiqie. In a decision on 7 November 2023, the Honour Assembly found Anwar Usman guilty of serious ethical violations.

The Honour Assembly stated that Anwar failed to recuse himself from examining cases related to his family’s interests, thereby violating the impartiality principle. He was also deemed to have opened space for outside interference in the judgment-making process and failed to exercise leadership functions optimally.

As a result of this decision, Anwar was removed from his position as Constitutional Court Chief. He subsequently filed a lawsuit at the Jakarta State Administrative Court challenging the Honour Assembly’s decision.

Beyond the ethics matter, Anwar also faced scrutiny regarding his low attendance rate of just 71 per cent in various sessions throughout 2025. According to internal Constitutional Court records, he had been absent 81 times from plenary sessions out of 589 total sessions, 32 panel sessions out of 160 sessions, and 32 judicial deliberation meetings (RPH).

Responding to this, Anwar explained that his absences were due to health conditions and medical treatment he needed to undergo.

Anwar Usman’s position will eventually be filled by a new constitutional judge from the Supreme Court. The selection process has been conducted by a selection committee chaired by Supreme Court Deputy Chief for Judicial Affairs, Suharto.

The selection committee has proposed three names of prospective constitutional judges to Supreme Court Chief Sunarto. These are Fahmiron (senior judge at Denpasar High Court), Liliek Prisbawono Adi (senior judge at Medan High Court), and Marsudin Nainggolan (Chief of North Kalimantan High Court).

The Supreme Court Chief will select one name to be submitted to President Prabowo Subianto for appointment through presidential decision and swearing in as the new constitutional judge.

Anwar Usman is scheduled to formally conclude his tenure on 6 April 2026 after reaching the maximum term limit for service as a constitutional judge.