Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Special Plenary Session of the 2021 Constitutional Court Annual Report, at Building I of the Constitutional Court Office, Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta Province, February 10, 2022

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good morning,

May peace be upon us all,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.

Honorable Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court and Deputy Chief Justice and Judges; Distinguished Heads of State Institutions;
Distinguished Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Asian countries;
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and representatives of friendly countries;
Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet; Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), and National Police Chief;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am grateful that amid the pandemic, all state institutions share similar spirit of working faster and more flexible. Allow me to extend my highest appreciation to the Constitutional Court for using the pandemic as a momentum to speed up transformation, to adapt to the latest technology to adopt digital court, as mentioned previously by the Chief Justice (of the Constitutional Court).

I clearly can see the spirit of providing better services for the public, providing better access for justice seekers, ensuring that law enforcement and human interest is upheld.

I believe that transformation will lead the Constitutional Court to find the momentum, to take big step and make a leap of progress, as well as affirm its position as the guardian of constitution.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

During the past two years, we have been facing a dynamic in constitutional practices. Many countries decided to take extraordinary measures and actions to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Those are concrete challenges and issues in constitutional practices.

The crisis forced the Government to produce fast and right responses by prioritizing the safety of the people. Nevertheless, I would like to reiterate that those extraordinary measures to curb the pandemic are taken by the Government with vigilance and thorough consideration so that all steps taken are still under the law and constitution.

The Government ensures all measures, regulations, and policies made by the Government have been well considered based on factual, objective, and measurable reasons, as well as thorough considerations to resolve the crisis and save the people and the nation. The thought to make the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for the Government to take unconstitutional actions and violate procedures and the values of democracy has never crossed our mind.

As a nation of laws, we must join hands to enforce law, to bring justice for the sake of people’s welfare and the advancement of the nation. I understand that the Constitutional Court and the Government are not always sharing the same view. However, the Government will always respect and carry out ruling of the Constitutional Court. It is because the 1945 Constitution Indonesia mandated that the ruling of the Constitutional Court is final and binding. The Government believes life of the nation will run well as long as it is based on the constitution.

Distinguished Guests,

I hope that the Constitutional Court can make rulings that provide resolution to state issues in upholding the constitution, while still balancing legal certainty, justice, and benefits. Ruling of the Constitutional Court should not only provide legal certainty but also justice. However, legal certainty and justice are not enough, the decision must also bring benefit for the life of the state and nation, to make the best contribution for the sake of people’s welfare and the advancement of the state, Indonesia.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. May Allah the Almighty always bestow on us His blessings and help us to advance the country.

 I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Om Santi Santi Santi om.
Namo Buddhaya.

(RAS/MMB)