MK’s Arief Hidayat Condemns Harsh Public Comments on sick Former Chairman Anwar Usman
- JAKARTA – The chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK), Arief Hidayat, has expressed disapproval towards the numerous negative comments made by the public regarding the health condition of the former MK chairman, Anwar Usman. Arief deemed these comments as "cruel" during the opening of hearings for regional head election disputes at Panel III on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Arief revealed that due to Anwar Usman’s ongoing hospitalization, MK had to find alternative solutions to continue the hearings. Each panel must be led by three judges, so Anwar’s absence had to be filled by a transferred judge from another panel.
"We had to bring in a transferred judge, and it comes at a high cost," Arief commented, hinting at the financial and logistical challenges posed by the situation.
Arief urged the public to instead pray for Anwar Usman’s swift recovery, who is also the brother-in-law of Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He believed that wishing well instead of ill would be more productive.
"Let’s not make cruel wishes, we should wish for good things instead," Arief emphasized.
The head of the MK’s Press and Protocol Bureau, Pan Mohamad Faiz, confirmed that Anwar Usman’s condition has not improved as of today. His position will be temporarily filled by other judges, including Ridwan Mansyur and Daniel Yusmic Foekh.
"The schedule adjustments have been communicated to both parties, so it’s just a change in sessions but on the same day," Faiz told Tempo on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Earlier reports had Anwar Usman hospitalized after a fall on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. This incident led to the postponement of Wednesday’s, January 8, 2025, hearing.MK judge Enny Nurbaningsih confirmed Anwar Usman’s hospitalization at the time.
