The Constitutional Court Launches Online Trial Services, Legislative Candidates Do Not Need to Come to Jakarta

Rules of Conduct for All Parties

Fajar emphasized that for parties who want to use online hearings, it is important to continue to comply with the rules of the hearing. He recalled the early days of using the Zoom Meeting application during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many hearing participants did not understand the rules of the hearing. This caused funny but disruptive incidents.

"Some wore inappropriate clothing, some lawyers did not wear robes. Some were smoking or eating and drinking. They were then reprimanded by the judge and asked to leave. This shows the importance of complying with the rules of the hearing, even in a virtual courtroom," he said.

This experience encouraged the MK to take a new step. Before the hearing begins, hearing participants will be asked to enter the link provided by the MK about 30 minutes beforehand. The MK IT team will check the readiness of the parties who will attend the hearing, including testing the sound to ensure that the sound is clear, and asking hearing participants to find a quiet location.

"Those who are driving will be asked to stop. There was a case where someone attended a hearing from inside a car, which was similar to someone attending a webinar. Usually, they will be asked to stop and find a conducive place. Previously, there was also a case where an applicant who was a laborer attended a hearing while a demonstration was taking place. He sat at the demonstration site. People moved around him, and some looked at the screen. This emphasizes that this hearing is a formal hearing, not just a webinar," said Fajar.

This shows that the MK will ensure that hearing participants in the virtual room comply with the rules of conduct for the smooth running of the trial process. Technical aspects that support the smooth running of the trial will be given great attention.

Easy Access to MK Hearings: Making it Easier for People Throughout Indonesia

The MK has provided easy access for the public to attend hearings. Since 2012, the MK has facilitated remote hearings through campuses in provincial capitals throughout Indonesia. This facility allows the public to attend hearings without having to come to Jakarta.
The philosophy behind this online hearing is to ensure that everyone throughout Indonesia has equal access to the MK. The MK realizes that the Indonesian territory is very large and not everyone is able to come to Jakarta to attend hearings.

With online hearings, people can save costs and time. They only need to come to the vicon location (now called minicourt) closest to their domicile. Or, they can attend the hearing via the Zoom Meeting application.

However, if people want to experience other things such as seeing Monas, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, or just walking around Jakarta, then they must come to Jakarta directly.

MK Regulation Number 2 of 2023