Many consider Suhartoyo, Saldi Isra, and Arief Hidayat as three judges who are consistent, good, and integrous. #kbanews
INSHA Allah, next Monday, Indonesia will enter a new chapter. For the first time in history, the Constitutional Court might disqualify the presidential and vice-presidential candidates Prabowo-Gibran, or, as with previous MK decisions, reject the petitioners’ lawsuit entirely.
The pivotal gavel is held by Dr. Suhartoyo, SH, MH, a Constitutional Court Judge known for his integrity and loyalty to the red and white of Indonesia. Suhartoyo, who has a distinctive voice, was elected as the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia on November 9, 2023, replacing Anwar Usman who was removed by the Honorary Council of the Constitutional Court for serious ethical violations that approved his nephew Gibran Rakabuming Raka as a vice-presidential candidate.
Currently, the legitimacy of President Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s candidacy, is being contested by the camps of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud. Judge Suhartoyo’s gavel is crucial for rendering the fairest justice.
Before his tenure as a constitutional judge, Suhartoyo was a career judge in the General Judiciary, last serving at the High Court of Denpasar.
Chairman of the Constitutional Court Suhartoyo is one of three Constitutional Court Judges who rejected Decision MK No. 90 of 2023. Suhartoyo is not alone; he is expected to bring new hope in resolving the 2024 Presidential Election dispute as honestly and fairly as possible, alongside Deputy Chairman MK Saldi Isra and Arief Hidayat.
The track record of Suhartoyo, Saldi Isra, and Arief Hidayat is viewed by many as consistently good and integrous. These three judges are hoped to grant the petition of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud, considering Judge Suhartoyo holds the gavel.
At least one more judge is needed to pass the petition of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud. Hope rests on two judges, Enny Nurbaningsih and Daniel Yusmich P Foech, who gave a concurring opinion when deciding Case No. 90 of 2023.
The composition of the Constitutional Court in resolving the 2024 Presidential Election results dispute is 3:3:2. Three judges accept, three reject, and two more are hoped to accept the petition of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud, namely Enny Purbaningsih and Daniel Yusmich P Foech.
If the last two judges, or one of them, shift the composition to 5:3 or 4:4, it can be assured that the petition of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud will be granted, whether partially or fully.
We hope that Judge Suhartoyo’s gavel will be like that of Judge Artidjo Alkostar, who boldly rejected the review petition (PK) submitted by the former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok). Judge Artidjo Alkostar’s gavel ended Ahok’s legal efforts in his blasphemy case.
Like the story of Imam Ahmad bin Hambal, who was brave because of his firm principles. Imam Ahmad rejected the opinion that the Quran was created and separate from the attributes of Allah. Imam Ahmad continued his protest with Muhammad Bin Nuh al-Jundiy, eventually leading to their arrest and report to the caliph.
May the gavel held by Judge Suhartoyo and the other seven members of the constitutional court remind us of the great scholar Imam Ahmad bin Hambal and Supreme Court Judge Artidjo Alkostar, remembered as judges who were courageous, decisive, and not tempted by tempting offers. For the sake of justice that upholds The Almighty God. Amen!
Tarmidzi Yusuf, Columnist