Megawati Questions the Revision of the Constitutional Court Law as Procedurally Flawed

The DPR's discussion of the revision of the Constitutional Court Law was considered procedurally flawed because it was carried out during the recess period.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, lit the flame of the Eternal Struggle Torch, which symbolizes the opening of the PDI-P's National Working Meeting V at Beach City International Jakarta, Ancol, Jakarta, on Friday (24/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Megawati Soekarnoputri questioned the behavior of the People's Representative Council in revising the Law on the Constitutional Court. The discussion was considered a procedural flaw because it was carried out during the recess period.

”Well, imagine, revising the MK Law, which in my opinion is just an incorrect procedure. Suddenly (discussed) during the recess. I asked Mr. Utut Adianto (Chairman of the PDI-P Fraction in the DPR). I asked him, what is this (revision of the MK Law)? said Megawati in her political speech at the PDI-P V National Working Meeting (Rakernas) at Beach City International Stadium, Ancol, Jakarta, Friday (24/5/2024).

Meanwhile, the DPR's Commission III has completed the first level of discussion on revising the Constitutional Court Law during the recess period on May 13, 2024. The recess period should have been used by Council members to absorb the aspirations of the people in their respective constituencies. However, the discussion was held secretly without the knowledge of the PDI-P Faction.

Also read: How Can the Revision of the Constitutional Court Law Paralyze the Constitutional Court?

According to Megawati, the actions of the DPR were arbitrary. In addition to the rushed discussions, Megawati also questioned the urgency of discussing it during a recess period. At that time, DPR Chairman Puan Maharani, who is also Megawati's daughter, was visiting Mexico. "Mbak Puan is currently in Mexico. It seems too easy (to discuss the revision of the MK Law)," she added.

KOMPAS/NIKOLAUS HARBOWO

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto shook hands with the head of the Constitutional Court Bill Committee from the DPR, Adies Kadir, at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Monday (13/5/2024).

The Chairman of the PDI-P Faction Group in the DPR Commission III, Nurdin, in mid-May 2024, admitted that there was no official invitation that had been received by his faction regarding the first-level decision-making meeting on the Constitutional Court Bill. "As the chairman of the faction group, I was not informed," he said.

The chairman of the PDI-P faction, Utut Adianto, added that the process of making decisions at the first level should be done during the session period. In the first-level negotiation process, in addition to ministers assigned by the President to discuss issues, all factions are also given the opportunity to express their views. "This is a check for all of us," he said.

Just imagine, the revision of the Constitutional Court Law, which in my opinion, the procedures are not correct. Suddenly (discussed) during the recess.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A group photo session with the Constitutional Court judges was held after the retirement ceremony of Constitutional Court judges Wahiduddin Adams and Manahan MP Sitompul at the Constitutional Court building in Jakarta on Thursday (18/1/2024).

Violates the rules of the game

On the other hand, Megawati also criticized the parliament regarding the draft law on broadcasting. According to her, the prohibition of investigative journalism violates the rules of the game. This is because the media is already covered by the Press Council and journalistic code of ethics.

"The media must follow a journalistic code of ethics. Then, oh, why, no that's okay, yes, if there's an investigation. That's what the press means, right? "In my opinion, he (the press) really went down," he said.

Also read: Silent Movement for Revision of the Constitutional Court Law

The 5th president also shared his experience with journalists. At that time, Megawati used to enjoy eating "nasi uduk" with journalists in a sitting position around Kebayoran. She also taught young journalists to work properly.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

A group of journalists scattered flowers over a pile of press cards in front of the Office of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Friday (17/5/2024). The action, initiated by the Indonesian Television Journalists Association of Cirebon Raya and representatives of the Bandung Independent Journalists Alliance, aimed to criticize the Broadcasting Bill which is considered a threat to press freedom.

Separately, the Chairman of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) Central Management Herik Kurniawan said that investigative reporting is both the foundation and pinnacle of daily journalistic activities. Every journalist has the duty to seek exclusive information that was previously inaccessible to the public.

"If the foundation is pulled out, the journalistic building and its crown will collapse," said Herik during The Forum talk show on Kompas TV, Wednesday night (May 22, 2024).

Also read: Revision of the Broadcasting Law and Intentions to Silence Press Freedom