Constitutional Court Judge Anwar Usman Bids Farewell and Offers Apology During Court Ruling Session

Jakarta — Constitutional Court Judge Anwar Usman delivered a farewell address whilst reading out a court ruling at the Constitutional Court’s plenary hearing room in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March 2026.

He made his farewell remarks whilst announcing Ruling 176/PUU-XXIII/2025.

“Before I read the ruling, this may be the last hearing session I attend, as I will complete 15 years of service at the Constitutional Court on 6 April 2024,” Usman said on Monday.

He stated that during this extended period, there were matters that may not have been entirely satisfactory, both intentionally and unintentionally.

“For this reason, from the depths of my heart, I offer my sincere apologies,” he said.

Anwar Usman has served as a constitutional court judge since 6 April 2011 for his initial term. The judge, proposed by the Supreme Court, subsequently continued his tenure for a second period beginning 6 April 2016 and served as Deputy Chief of the Constitutional Court.

On 2 April 2018, he was appointed Chief of the Constitutional Court before being removed due to the controversial Ruling 90 case, which allowed his nephew Gibran Rakabuming Raka to stand as a presidential running mate in the 2024 election. At that time, the minimum age requirement for vice-presidential candidates was 40 years.

Anwar Usman altered existing regulations so that individuals who had previously served as regional heads were not bound by this age restriction.

He will retire in accordance with the maximum 15-year tenure requirement for Constitutional Court judges, which expires on 6 April 2026.

According to Kompas.id, three candidates to replace Anwar Usman are High Court Judge of Denpasar High Court Fahmiron, High Court Judge of Medan High Court Liliek Prisbawono Adi, and Chief Judge of North Kalimantan High Court Marsudin Nainggolan.