"Is This Love" at Graha Saba Buana Hall

Anwar Usman emphasized that there was no political issue behind his marriage. It was all based on the love that grew between two people.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT WAKIL PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo (left) in the marriage ceremony of his sister, Idayati, with Anwar Usman, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Graha Saba Buana Building, Surakarta, Thursday (26/5/2022). Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Mrs Wury were also present.

”Inikah namanya cinta

Inikah cinta

Cinta pada jumpa pertama

Inikah rasanya cinta

Inikah cinta

Terasa bahagia saat jumpa dengan dirinya”

"Does it mean Love

Is this Love

Love at first meeting

Is this what love feels like

Is this Love

Feeling happy when you meeting with him"

The chanting of the song titled “Inikah Cinta” (Is this Love) echoed around Graha Saba Buana, Surakarta City, Central Java, on Thursday (26/5/2022). The rhythmic song, which was popularized by the music group ME in the 1990s, was sung as a duet by singers Judika and Idayati.

Idayati is the younger sister of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who on that day, married the Constitutional Court (MK) chief justice Anwar Usman. For both of them, this is their second marriage, after they were left forever by their respective previous partners.

Witnessed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and the Indonesian Military chief General Andika Perkasa as well as several other government officials , President Jokowi acted as the guardian of his sister. In just one breath, Anwar declared “ijab Kabul” (acceptance) guided by President Jokowi.

The song is titled ‘Pamit’ (Goodbye). On this occasion, I also represent my wife, Idayati, who will soon leave the city of Solo.

Anwar gave a set of prayer tools and a watch as the dowry to Idayati, whom he often called “Putri Solo” (Solo Princess), referring to Surakarta’s other name of Solo. Both of them looked excited and happy as they took pictures showing off their wedding rings to government officials, political party officials and regional heads who attended the wedding ceremony.

In the middle of the reception, Idayati performed a duet with Judika singing the song "Inikah Cinta” (Is This Love). Usman also sang a song. The man who was born in Bima on 31 Dec. , 1956, sang "Pamit" (Goodbye) by Broery Marantika.

“The song is titled ‘Pamit’ (Goodbye). On this occasion, I also represent my wife, Idayati, who will soon leave the city of Solo,” said Anwar, before singing. After the marriage celebrations, they will live in Jakarta as Anwar is still active as Constitutional Court chief justice.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Live broadcast of the wedding of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman and President Joko Widodo's sister, Idayati, from the front of the Graha Sabha Buana Building, Surakarta, Central Java, Thursday (26/5/2022). The wedding took place under strict protocol.

Commitment to integrity

Anwar unveiled his plan to marry Idayati a long time ago. When giving a speech during his presentation for becoming an honorary professor of Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula) on 11 March, Anwar revealed that the"Putri Solo" would likely be present at his inauguration as professor on 25 March. He also said that he would hold a special meeting with President Jokowi the following day.

Since then, a number of parties have raised concerns that his marriage with the President’s sister will complicate the Constitutional Court's position when deciding cases related to the President. Former Constitutional Court chief justice, Jimly Asshiddiqie, who was unable to attend the reception, also spoke up.

Jimly believed that after the marriage, Anwar should prove his commitment to maintaining the integrity and independence of the Constitutional Court. He also expected the other eight constitutional justices to be able to safeguard the independence and impartiality of the Constitutional Court in deciding cases, especially those relating to the President.

To prevent people from linking him to his position as the President's brother-in-law, the Constitutional Court chief justice can resign from the case or be temporarily inactive when facing cases that have a potential conflict of interest.

However, Jimly said, the public must also be objective. Not all cases can be linked to his position as the President's brother-in-law. For example, when someone proposes a judicial review related the constitutionality of an article in the Criminal Code.

This cannot be directly linked to the position of President because the law was made in the Dutch era. To ward off the public's suspicion when the Court examines cases, continued Jimly, the Constitutional Court could further improve its sense of ethics. "To prevent people from linking him to his position as the President's brother-in-law, the Constitutional Court chief justice can resign from the case or be temporarily inactive when facing cases that have a potential conflict of interest," said Jimly.

Anwar emphasized that there was no political issue behind his marriage. It was all based on the love that grew between two people.

"Death, livelihood and marriage are from Allah. If we deny that, it means we deny Allah. If God has determined me to be the husband of this ‘Putri Solo’, what will I say?” said Anwar during a post-Idul Fitri gathering held by Bima residents in Surakarta on Sunday (22/5).

Idayati's son, Adityo, said his mother had met Anwar one year ago. The two of them fell in love with each other and then they agreed to get married. His mother also asked for his and his older brother's permission. They agreed to the plan.

It is all for the happiness of the mother. What's more, at present Idayati lives alone because her children have all married and now live outside the city.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.