Jokowi Refuses to Give Opinion After Constitutional Court Decision

Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) refused to give his opinion regarding the Indonesian Constitutional Court about the minimum age requirement for the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidatest on Monday. 

"Regarding the Constitutional Court's decision, please ask the Constitutional Court. Don't ask me," the Head of State said during a sidelines of his working visit in Beijing, China, on Monday. 

The President also suggested to ask this to the legal expert, "Also, just please ask to legal experts. Let them assessed it," 

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Ketua MK Anwar Usman pimpin sidang putusan Batas Umur Capres dan Cawapres di Mahkamah Konstitusi

Photo :

• VIVA/M Ali Wafa

According to President, his opinion can be misunderstood because it seemed as if the Head of State was interfering with judicial authority. 

"Once again, I don't want to give an opinion on the Constitutional Court's decision. Later, it can be misunderstood as if I interfered with judicial authority," President Widodo emphasized. 

As more information, the Indonesian Constitutional Court (MK) has set the minimum age requirement for the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, but there could be an exception for those who have been elected as regional leaders. 

The court ruled in favor of a judicial review against a clause in the 2017 law on general elections requiring presidential and vice presidential candidates to be at least 40 years old or have been elected as regional leaders. 

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Wali Kota Solo Gibran Rakabuming Raka

Photo :

• istimewa

This was seen aimed to open the way for President Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming – who is Mayor of Solo – to run in the election for Vice President (VP) on next February. 

Chief Justice Anwar Usman, who is the President's brother-in-law, said the age limit alone was against Indonesia's Constitution, therefore the court's decision to make an addition to the related clause now requiring a candidate to be at least of that age or has served or is serving a position won through a general election, including a regional leader election.

Halaman Selanjutnya

The court ruled in favor of a judicial review against a clause in the 2017 law on general elections requiring presidential and vice presidential candidates to be at least 40 years old or have been elected as regional leaders.