The Dimension of Judicial Activism of Incorporating Constitutional Complaint: an Overview on Judicial Independence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev1124Keywords:
Constitutional complaint, Judicial accountability, Judicial independence, Judicial restraintAbstract
This paper analyzes the debate surrounding the potential for Indonesia’s Constitutional Court to incorporate a constitutional complaint mechanism. While acknowledging the strong arguments for its inclusion, which are deep-rooted in the need for substantive justice and the protection of fundamental rights, this paper advocates for a cautious approach. The core argument is that the Court should refrain from expanding its jurisdiction through judicial interpretation alone. Such an act could be viewed as judicial overreach, potentially undermining the Court’s legitimacy, disrupting the separation of powers, and weakening the principles of judicial accountability and judicial independence. Drawing on the historical context of human rights in Indonesia and the foundational design of the Constitutional Court, this analysis suggests that a legitimate expansion of authority should be achieved through formal, democratic processes, such as a constitutional amendment or a revision of the Constitutional Court Law. By advocating for judicial restraint, the paper emphasizes that the Court’s strength and independence lies not in expanding its own power, but in strictly adhering to its constitutional mandate as a check on other branches of government. The paper concludes that not exercising restraint by incorporating a constitutional complaint mechanism through the Court’s interpretative authority can lead to long-term negative effects on the Court’s judicial independence, both in theory and practice.
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