Chief Justice invites universities to strengthen constitutional culture

Constitutional Court (MK) Chief Justice Suhartoyo has invited universities to strengthen constitutional culture through the path of knowledge, including research, criticism, and education. According to him, higher education institutions are strategic partners of the MK in safeguarding the constitution and reinforcing a democratic rule of law. “The MK and universities are on the same path of service, ensuring that Indonesia remains a democratic and dignified rule-of-law state,” he said, as per a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday. The constitution cannot be guarded by a single institution. Universities, he added, have an important role as spaces for the growth of scientific tradition, the development of constitutional studies, and academic participation in judicial review at the MK. Therefore, he hopes that higher education institutions will continue to strengthen their role as guardians of constitutional common sense, civic laboratories, and partners in the development of legal science and the dissemination of understanding of MK rulings. “The MK guards the constitution through rulings, universities guard the constitution through knowledge; the MK speaks through rulings, universities speak through research, criticism, and education,” said Suhartoyo. “The forms and paths may differ, but the goal is the same: to ensure that power submits to the constitution and the constitution works for humanity,” he added. Suhartoyo received the ‘Bhakti Justisia’ award from Slamet Riyadi University (Unisri) Surakarta on Friday (26/6) for his dedication to upholding law and justice in Indonesia. He said the meaning of ‘Bhakti Justisia’ reflects a devotion to justice that must be continuously nurtured through integrity, strong legal argumentation, and public trust. According to him, every award actually brings an even greater responsibility for the MK to exercise its authority independently and based on the constitution. “I accept it as a public trust; not merely a personal honour, but a reminder that safeguarding the constitution is a great task that must be done together,” he said.