Chief Justice Highlights Complex Caseload, Urges MK Judges to Uphold Integrity

Constitutional Court (MK) Chief Justice Suhartoyo has highlighted the public’s growing legal awareness, marked by an increasing number of petitions. He urged MK judges to maintain their integrity when handling cases.

“In 2025, the Court handled 701 petitions and decided on 598. The rising number of petitions shows that more people are using constitutional channels to seek justice,” Suhartoyo said during a speech at the MK’s 23rd anniversary ceremony in Jakarta on Thursday (13/8/2026).

Suhartoyo stated that the MK aims to ensure the administration of the state operates within constitutional limits, citizens’ rights are protected, and democracy functions according to the values of the Constitution. He noted that the increasing number of cases reflects public expectations.

“Our challenges are growing, petitions are becoming more complex, and public expectations are higher. This is reflected in the cases we handle,” he said.

Suhartoyo emphasised that the high volume of public petitions is not merely a statistic. He insisted that the judicial process must remain professional.

“For us, that number is not just a figure. Behind every petition lies the public’s trust in the Court. We must answer that trust with dedicated work. The judicial process must be professional, rulings must be born from clear and independent consideration. Integrity must be the guiding principle for everyone working at the Constitutional Court,” he explained.

“The Court’s rulings must also have meaning for people’s lives, including protecting citizens’ rights and safeguarding democracy within the constitutional corridor. That trust demands we continue to improve. We are continuously improving services and governance. We are developing digital transformation so that justice is more easily accessible to the public,” he added.

Suhartoyo also mentioned that the MK will continue to improve its governance to facilitate public access. As of July 2026, the majority of petitions were filed online.

“The support provided by all employees of the Registrar’s Office and the Secretariat General has been very meaningful and important for the administration of justice at the MK, which has provided easy access for parties in a transparent, accountable, and modern manner,” he said.

“It is proven that out of 304 petitions up to mid-August 2026, 258, or 85 percent, were filed online,” he concluded.