Anwar Usman Feels Relieved to Leave the Constitutional Court

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Constitutional Court Justice Anwar Usman admitted to feeling “relieved” (plong) after leaving the Constitutional Court (MK) following his 15-year service. “So, I’m relieved now, to be honest. That’s why I was moved to tears, not because I’m sad to leave the MK, no…,” said Anwar when met after the retirement ceremony for constitutional justices at the MK Building in Jakarta on Monday. Anwar wiped his face with a white handkerchief he was holding as a video of his career history was played during the retirement ceremony held in the MK Building Auditorium. The uncle of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka also collapsed during the procession after the ceremony. His body was carried into the MK building waiting room by officers. However, after 20 minutes of rest, he returned to greet the journalists waiting for his statement. Anwar admitted to being exhausted due to lack of sleep, staying up until dawn watching podcasts about the situation in Balkan countries, plus not having breakfast yet. “I just returned from Bosnia,” he said. When asked about his impressions after retirement, the former MK Chief Justice emphasised that he had no intention of seeking popularity. He stated that any mandate given, whether a position, is a trust intended as worship. “My first intention is worship. So, wherever trusted, it is carried out, after I complete my duties at the MK with a good ending,” he said. The former Constitutional Court Chief Justice has not yet mentioned whether there are any offers or plans for future tasks after retiring as a constitutional justice. Because he has retired, Anwar admitted he can now speak casually to the media. Pandora’s Box He conveyed that the State Administrative Court (PTUN) Decision Number 604/G/2023/PTUN.JKT has restored his honour and dignity from the polemic of the Constitutional Court (MK) Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 on the age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. This event is also described in two books he wrote about his 15 years of life experience at the Constitutional Court, which will be released after retirement, titled Pandora’s Box. Anwar also stated that honour, dignity, and good name are the most important. Thanks to the PTUN Decision Number 604, everything has been restored, so he is relieved to leave the MK. “What is this life, honour and dignity, good name that is the main thing. Imagine, if I die before my good name, honour and dignity are not restored, oh God, and I would not leave the MK with all the sorrow and suffering, not like today, I’m relieved,” he revealed. The husband of Idayati repeated his speech at the retirement ceremony, that he is leaving the MK like a baby, like a blank sheet of paper without any notes. Anwar emphasised that the MK Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 did not sacrifice his position. That decision was not for Gibran but for all young people. “What is certain today is that I am like a newborn baby, my good name, honour, dignity have been restored by the PTUN so that at the time of the MK decision, I didn’t feel anything,” said Anwar.