"Not only the nine constitutional judges, but none of us are subject to anyone, or afraid of anyone. We (in doing our job) cannot be influenced by anyone. We are only subject to the constitution, legislation, and God," Usman said, after opening the p
Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Constitutional Court (MK) chief justice Anwar Usman has reaffirmed that all constitutional judges and staff are working independently to resolve the dispute over the results of the 2019 presidential election.

"Not only the nine constitutional judges, but none of us are subject to anyone, or afraid of anyone. We (in doing our job) cannot be influenced by anyone. We are only subject to the constitution, legislation, and God," Usman said, after opening the preliminary hearing on the election dispute at the Constitutional Court building in Jakarta on Friday.

Usman explained that the nine constitutional judges were selected by the nation's three branches of government - the executive, legislative, and judiciary - namely the president, parliament, and the Supreme Court. However, he reiterated that the nine constitutional judges cannot be influenced by anyone in carrying out their duties.

"Since we joined the Constitutional Court, we have become independent and cannot be influenced by anyone. We are not afraid of anyone, we are only afraid of God," he stated.

Moreover, he also appealed to all parties that appear before the court to respect the proceedings and avoid delivering statements that will be offensive.

"Let's not say any words of disrespect at the trial. This is an order for all of us," he stressed.

Furthermore, he stated that in handling the dispute over the 2019 presidential election results, the Constitutional Court will only recognize the election participants or candidate pairs.

Usman made his statement in response to the report from the Constitutional Court Registrar, noting 15 requests by those seeking to become related parties in the presidential election dispute case.

"All of us need to understand that there are no related parties in this case, except the presidential election participants, so we cannot accept those 15 requests," he noted.

Indonesia held simultaneous legislative and presidential elections across the country on April 17, 2019.

Following announcement on the results of the elections by the General Election Commission (KPU) on May 22, 2019, incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi) declared victory, while contender Prabowo Subianto decided to file a legal suit at the Constitutional Court over alleged massive and structured electoral fraud.
(INE)

Translator: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019