Anwar Usman's Words After Leaving the MK: Like a Sinless Newborn Baby

Former Constitutional Court (MK) Chief Justice Anwar Usman claimed to be leaving his position with a sense of relief, likening it to a baby born without sin. According to Anwar, all the storms and examinations that beset him at the end of his term actually allowed him to emerge as a clean individual. He conveyed this in his farewell speech at the Constitutional Court building in Central Jakarta on (13/4). “In the end, God’s promise has been proven; I am leaving the Constitutional Court like a baby newly born into the world, like a blank sheet of paper with no scribbles whatsoever,” Anwar stated. Anwar revealed that he had overcome various heavy obstacles during his 15 years of service, including when he was examined by the Constitutional Court Honour Council (MKMK). He believed that truth would ultimately always defeat all forms of falsehood directed at him. “But at that time, with a confident heart in God’s promise, that when truth comes, all lies and falsehoods will be destroyed. And that is what I carried out, and that is what I experienced,” Anwar emphasised firmly. In his speech, Anwar also gave a firm message to the constitutional justices to have a steel mentality and not to fear being bullied in upholding justice. He exemplified the moment when one of his colleagues could not bear the immense public pressure after being officially appointed as a justice. “Like my younger sibling, Prof Saldi, who called me late at night shortly after being appointed as a justice, crying late at night because he couldn’t stand being bullied,” Anwar said. At that time, Anwar immediately gave advice that public dissatisfaction is a reality and a risk that must be borne. “I said ‘younger sibling, that is the risk of being a justice, the risk of upholding truth, law, and justice, because no matter how long, there will never be a justice who can deliver a decision that satisfies all parties. Please keep this in mind,’” Anwar emphasised firmly. The Constitutional Court (MK) held the Constitutional Justice Retirement Graduation ceremony for Anwar Usman, which was combined with the welcoming of two new Constitutional Justices, namely Liliek Prisbawono Adi and Adies Kadir. This honorary event was held in the presence of the MK Chief along with the ranks of constitutional justices on Monday (13/4) at 16:00 WIB, at the Plenary Courtroom of MK Building I. This procession marks Anwar Usman’s retirement after dedicating himself for 15 years as a constitutional justice, with his term of office officially ending on 6 April 2026.