TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Honorary Council of the Constitutional Court (MK) will hold a hearing today, October 31, 2023, to examine the Chief Judge of MK Anwar Usman on alleged ethics code violations.

The Honorary Council will also conduct a preliminary examination hearing for the applicant's representatives, scheduled for this morning at 09:00 a.m. local time.

"Yes, there is indeed a scheduled Honorary Council of MK hearing today from 09:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.,' Mutia Frida, Head of Public Relations Sub-division of MK confirmed through a brief message on Tuesday morning. The hearing will be open to the public. "This morning, an open session hearing will be intended for the applicants: CALS (Constitutional and Administrative Law Society), Zico, and Legal Aid Institute Yusuf."

However, Mutia did not disclose the schedule for Anwar Usman's hearing today. Citing the official website of MK, the court already had seven scheduled sessions all morning until the afternoon.

Anwar Usman's hearing will be a close session, per the MK Regulation No. 1 of 2023. "Preliminary examination will be conducted as a close session," Article 26 of the regulation provided.

According to the provision, preliminary examinations include hearing the applicant's statement, examining the evidence, and hearing the explanation and the defendant's defense statement.

Code of ethics violation allegation emerged after Anwar Usman and other constitutional judges decided on the age limit of presidential and vice presidential candidates to run in the elections. The decision is accused of favoring President Jokowi's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Also notable to mention that Gibran was also Anwar Usman's nephew, raising several eyebrows and bringing up questions about conflict of interests.

To investigate this allegation, MK proceeded to form an honorary council to examine the reports. This council is made up of the former Chief Judge of MK JimlyAsshidiqie, Constitutional Judge Wahiduddin Adams, and the constitutional law expert Bintan Saragih.

SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN

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