31-5-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s coordinating minister for politics, legal, and security, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, has called on the police to investigate a potential leak related to a Constitutional Court verdict that could have significant implications for the country’s parliamentary election system.
The move comes in response to claims made by former deputy justice minister, Denny Indrayana, who alleged on Sunday (May 28) that the court had repealed the “open-list proportional representation” system used in Indonesia’s parliamentary elections. This system allows voters to directly choose a specific candidate, replacing the previously criticized “closed proportional system,” in which voters could only vote for a political party.
In a statement, Indrayana referred to the Constitutional Court as the “MK” and stated, “This morning I received important information. The MK will rule for the legislative election to return to the closed proportional system, back to picking a party logo (on the ballot papers).” He claimed that the information came from a reliable source, indicating that only three out of the nine Constitutional Court judges supported maintaining the more transparent system.
The Constitutional Court has been examining the case since November, following a petition by six individuals questioning the constitutionality of the current system and requesting the reinstatement of the previous system. Fajar Laksono, a spokesman for the Constitutional Court, clarified that the judges had not yet begun deliberating on the final verdict. Deliberations are scheduled to take place on May 31, after both the plaintiffs and the government present their closing arguments.
Laksono emphasized that since the verdict had not been deliberated, it was perplexing how a leak could have occurred. He further stated that the Constitutional Court is considering whether to take legal action against Indrayana.
Coordinating minister Mahfud stressed the need for a police investigation into the claims made by Indrayana. He asserted that leaking a Constitutional Court verdict before its official announcement would set a negative precedent and potentially involve the unauthorized disclosure of classified state documents. Mahfud, a former Constitutional Court judge himself, expressed his concerns on Twitter on Sunday evening.
The National Police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, confirmed that the police would promptly follow Mahfud’s directive. Prabowo stated that discussions were underway to determine the appropriate steps and that further action would be taken if a crime had been committed.
Indonesians are scheduled to participate in the polls on February 14 next year, simultaneously voting for the country’s next president, members of parliament, and several regional leaders.
