MPR and MK Sign MoU on Synergy in Constitutional Interpretation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Constitutional Court (MK) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding synergy in interpreting the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia (UUD NRI 1945).
MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani said the MoU was signed during a meeting between MPR leaders and all constitutional judges at the MK Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon.
Muzani explained that one of the points agreed upon was the MK’s request for the MPR’s views regarding the explanation of the drafting of an article in the 1945 Constitution before the court decides on a judicial review petition.
“Because the Constitution or the UUD is under the authority of the MPR, the institution considered to understand the Constitution the most is, of course, the MPR. Therefore, before the MK makes a decision regarding that interpretation, we reminded them, we conveyed, to also listen to what the MPR’s views were when the constitution was drafted or amended,” he said during a press conference.
He said the discussions with the MK covered many matters, including efforts for the MPR and MK to synergise in safeguarding the constitution and protecting the sovereignty of the people.
According to Muzani, the agreement to hear the MPR’s views before the MK decides on a judicial review petition is not an attempt to interfere with authority, but rather a form of synergy between the two institutions.
“All this time, both the MPR and the MK have been operating according to their respective authorities, and we agreed that neither the MPR nor the MK would interfere in each other’s authority and internal affairs, but we communicate to provide interpretation,” he said.
However, not all judicial reviews require the MPR’s views. Muzani stated that the MPR’s views are only needed for petitions directly related to the interpretation of articles in the 1945 Constitution.
“Not all decisions are directly related (to the MPR). Therefore, the MPR will not always be asked for its views, but only for those that are sufficient, for example, if it concerns the interpretation of the constitution, then the MPR will be asked for its views,” he said.
It is known that during the judicial review process at the Court so far, requests for statements in the hearing have only been made to the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government as the lawmakers. Other statements heard in the hearing include those from witnesses, experts, or related parties.
During the visit to the MK, Muzani was accompanied by MPR Deputy Chairmen Hidayat Nur Wahid, Rusdi Kirana, and Edhie Baskoro “Ibas” Yudhoyono, as well as MPR Secretary-General Siti Fauziah. Muzani said they were received directly by all the constitutional judges.