MK Judges and Retired Justices Call for Judicial Independence through Book Launch
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Several Constitutional Court (MK) judges, along with retired constitutional justices, have voiced the importance of judicial independence from political intervention through the launch of a book titled “Kemerdekaan Kekuasaan Kehakiman” in Jakarta on Friday.
MK Chief Justice Suhartoyo stated that the book was written by 17 authors, namely current and retired constitutional judges, and was launched specifically as a birthday gift for Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie’s 70th birthday on 17 April 2026.
He said that judicial independence must be continually proclaimed at every opportunity.
“Independence must always be proclaimed and voiced continuously. So, at every time and every opportunity, it must be done,” said Suhartoyo.
According to him, independence is dynamic, so for MK judges who handle applications and cases daily, independence must be inherent and continuously safeguarded.
Suhartoyo said that the book launched by the MK on Friday serves as a reminder and spurs evaluation to ensure that the MK’s independence is felt up to the present, compared to previously, whether there has been a decline, stagnation, or even improvement.
“So, there is certainly a starting point, a moment that can serve as a study or evaluation for the MK today,” he said.
The 17 authors of the book are Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie, Saldi Isra, Asrul Sani, Suhartoyo, Maruarar Siahaan, Arief Hidayat, Ahmad Fadil Sumadi, Mahfud MD, Ridwan Mansyur, Ahmad Sodikin, Adies Kadir, I Dewa Gede Palguna, M. Guntur Hamzah, Daniel Yusmik P. Foek, Wahiduddin Adam, Manahan M.P Sitompul, and Enny Nurbaningsih.
The book’s authors did not include Constitutional Justice Liliek Prisbawono Adi because he had not yet been inaugurated when the book was compiled, and his manuscript is planned to be included after the English version is published.
Regarding the absence of retired Justice Anwar Usman’s name in the book, Suhartoyo said that all judges were asked to contribute by submitting their writings.
“If his name wasn’t mentioned earlier, ask Mr Anwar yourself when you meet him. Because I don’t know, I can’t explain the reason,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra, who acted as the book’s editor, said that the book “Kemerdekaan Kekuasaan Kehakiman” is dedicated to celebrating Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie’s 70th birthday for his dedication and time to the MK.
He noted that for the 30 years since the MK was established, Prof. Jimly has never stopped voicing the importance of judicial independence and is a pioneer of modern adjudication in Indonesia.
“From his time at the MK until his retirement as a constitutional justice, he has never stopped emphasising how important it is to nurture and safeguard judicial power,” said Saldi.
“Not only because he is the founder of the MK, shaping it as it is today. But his commitment to constitutionalism in this country, and likewise for the MK, his commitment to judicial independence,” said Saldi.
Constitutionalism is an ideology that emphasises that government power must be limited by law (the constitution) to prevent arbitrariness and guarantee people’s rights.