TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Constitutional Court (MK) is prepared to handle regional election disputes. Chief of MK Arif Hidayat said that he will prove that MK is able to settle disputes fair and square.
"Our institution's reputation has slumped, so we have to prove that MK can carry out the mandate from the constitution and the law," said Arif on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
MK's reputation was tarnished when former Chief of MK Akil Mochtar was found guilty for being involved in bribery cases related to 10 regional election disputes. Akil was sentenced to life imprisonment for receiving more than Rp 57 billion and US$500,000 bribes during his term as an MK judge.
Traumatized by the case, Arif called for all MK judges to remind each other about the principle of justice in trial. "MK's decision is always read in the name of the One Almighty God," Arif said.
Arif also asked for all election dispute trials to be carried out in accordance with the law, including Law No. 8/2015 on Regional Elections. "Don't let judges act beyond the constitution, the law, or the given regulation," Arif said.
PUTRI ADITYOWATI