Retiring from MK, Anwar Usman's Response on Presidential and Vice-Presidential Age Requirements Ruling

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK), Anwar Usman, has spoken out regarding Constitutional Court Ruling Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 on age requirements for presidential candidates (capres) and vice-presidential candidates (cawapres). It is known that the ruling stipulates that an elected official through elections may register as a capres/cawapres even if they do not meet the minimum age criterion of 40 years. The ruling also paved the way for Anwar Usman’s nephew, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is only 36 years old, to register as a cawapres in the 2024 presidential election (Pilpres). “(Ruling Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023) Indeed has no connection to Gibran, it is not a door for Gibran. For all young people. That is the mistake in perception,” Anwar emphasised when met after his retirement ceremony on Monday (13/4/2026). Anwar also touched on the ongoing polemic regarding the ruling on capres and cawapres age requirements. Nevertheless, he expressed relief after serving at the MK for 15 years and retiring on 6 April 2026. “I feel relieved. I liken leaving the MK as leaving a baby, like a blank sheet of paper,” Anwar stated. He analogised his departure from the MK to a newborn baby entering the world and a blank sheet of paper that has not yet been stained by anything. Concluding his retirement, he extended apologies to the entire MK ranks during his 15 years of service. “From the depths of my heart, I extend my apologies to all the Honourable Justices (MK judges), the assistants, and the entire Constitutional Court family if during my 15 years at the Constitutional Court there were certainly things that were less pleasing,” he said. “Thus, from the tips of my toes to the tips of my hair, from the depths of my heart, I extend my apologies and immeasurable thanks,” Anwar Usman concluded.