MK Leadership Appreciates Jimly's Decades-Long Oversight of the Constitution

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK), Suhartoyo, extended his thanks and appreciation to former Chief Justice of the MK, Jimly Asshiddiqie, for his steadfast guardianship of the constitution from the MK’s establishment in 2003 until the present day.

“Thank you, Prof, for everything for the MK. Without Prof Jimly, the MK might not be what it is today, not as grand as it is today, and not as strong as it is today, notwithstanding its shortcomings and strengths,” Suhartoyo stated in his speech at the launch of the book “Judicial Power Independence” as well as the celebration of Jimly’s 70th birthday, held at the MK Building in Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026).

He remarked that the MK greatly needs Jimly and cannot be distant from one of its founders.

“Whether in good times or any circumstances, we need his figure who is always present among us, even if perhaps not in the context of handling cases that fall under the authority and duties of the Constitutional Court,” Suhartoyo said.

“This book is dedicated to the 70 years of Professor Jimly Asshiddiqie. Thank you for your service and dedication in nurturing the independence of judicial power,” said Saldi at the same event.

Saldi noted that from the MK’s inception in 2003 until Jimly’s retirement in 2009, he consistently advocated for the importance of nurturing and safeguarding judicial power.

Even after a long period without serving as a judge, Jimly remains devoted to overseeing the constitution and the judiciary.

“For nearly 30 years until now, he has never ceased emphasising the importance of nurturing and maintaining the independence of judicial power,” he added.

“If you look at that journey, ladies and gentlemen, and Prof Jimly’s contributions at the Constitutional Court, there was once a proposal to attach a symbol to him as the Father of Modern Indonesian Judiciary,” said Saldi.

“But that has not yet been realised to this day. I don’t know who will take up that idea. At the very least, from the beginning, he was committed to the existence of a modern judiciary,” he continued.

One of the innovations introduced by Jimly was remote hearings, which the MK frequently uses to serve public petitions.

“So, people hadn’t yet thought of remote hearings, there was no Covid-19 yet, but he was already thinking of providing those facilities for the Constitutional Court,” Saldi remarked.