Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, he explained that the judicial review mechanism is part of the constitutional system that allows citizens to challenge laws enacted by the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government.
"It can be tested to determine whether the concerns are indeed fundamental or not," he said in response to criticism from some groups regarding the ratified military law.
Agtas urged the public to allow the new law to be implemented first.
He stressed that there should be no imbalance of power among national institutions, as the Republic of Indonesia was founded by various groups and professions that played equally important roles in building the nation.
"In essence, it is impossible for us to agree on everything, as democracy inherently involves differences," he said. "Therefore, legal avenues (such as a judicial review) remain available."
He assured the public that the Military Law, which was approved during the DPR's plenary session, does not establish a "dual function" for military personnel—a concern raised by some parties.
The "dual function" refers to military personnel holding both military and civilian positions.
He also rejected the criticism that the ratification process lacked transparency, noting that the bill had been discussed during the previous DPR term.
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Translator: Andi, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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