Constitutional Court holds first hearing
Constitutional Court holds first hearing
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday held its first session to
hear lawyers of groups of people seeking a legal review of three
laws: On electricity, on oil and gas, and on the government debt
instrument.
The Constitutional Court, formally set up on Aug. 16, is
directed by the Constitution to conduct judicial reviews and
settle cases where the president is considered to have violated
the law.
Presiding judge Jimly Asshidiqie said people seeking judicial
review are given 14 days to complete the necessary documents. The
courtroom is temporarily situated at the House of Representatives
(DPR) building here.
Preliminary trials are held to give the people and their
lawyers more time to complete the necessary documents.
The first trial of the Constitutional Court attracted among
others constitutional law experts Harun Alrasyid and Satya
Arinanto, apart from member of the Civil Servants' Wealth Audit
Commission (KPKPN) Sukoco.
The first session heard lawyer Jhonson Panjaitan who
represented a group of people seeking legal review of the
electricity law.
Panjaitan said that Law No. 20/2002 on electricity
contradicted Article 33 of the Constitution which says that all
forms of production that benefit the public must be controlled by
the state, including electricity. He said that the law has
encouraged the private sector to invest in electricity companies.
The procession started when the protocol asked the audience to
stand up while the panel of nine judges entered the courtroom in
red attire.
Jimly was accompanied by deputy chief judge Laica Marzuki and
seven members HAS Natabaya, Haryono, I Dewa Gede Palguna, Mukhtie
Fajar, Achmad Roestandi, Soedarsono, and M. Siahaan.
The electricity law is among 14 laws listed for judicial
review, which was taken over by the Constitutional Court from the
Supreme Court on Oct. 15.
Apart from laws on oil and gas and on the government debt
instrument, Constitutional Court Acting Secretary General
Janedjri M. Ghaffar said that others include the laws on the
Supreme Court, broadcasting and the law on the Commission for
Corruption Eradication (KPTPK).
Still more are the laws on the general elections, political
parties, regional autonomy and the law on the status and
composition of the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional
Representatives Council (DPD) and the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR).