Upholding Judicial Independence through the Practice of Judicial Activism in Constitutional Review: A Study by Constitutional Judges

Riris Ardhanariswari; Eko Nursetiawan; Syarafina Dyah Amalia; Enny Dwi  Cahyani; Rozlinda Mohamed Fadzil

doi:10.24090/volksgeist.v6i2.9565

Authors

Riris Ardhanariswari Faculty of Law, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0458-6363
Eko Nursetiawan Faculty of Law, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9079-0191
Syarafina Dyah Amalia Faculty of Law, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7335-2845
Enny Dwi Cahyani Faculty of Law, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3318-4761
Rozlinda Mohamed Fadzil Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v6i2.9565

Keywords:

Judicial Activism; Independence; Judicial Power; Constitutional Court; Constitutional Review

Abstract

The practice of judicial activism, though not formally defined within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court (MK), is implicitly recognized as an integral element of independent judicial power. The importance of this independence is underscored as a fundamental necessity for the preservation of law and justice. This research utilized a normative juridical methodology, incorporating conceptual, comparative, and case-based analysis. The study findings reveal that judicial activism, as practiced within the Constitutional Court, is underpinned by independent judicial authority. Moreover, this practice aligns with the tenets of progressive legal doctrines, which not only acknowledge the significance of codified legal provisions but also endorse legal innovations for the pursuit of justice. The practice of judicial activism within the Constitutional Court is indispensable for reinforcing the principle of checks and balances. The subjective and abstract nature of judicial activism, however, necessitates objective validation through the principle of virtue jurisprudence.

References

Abra, Emy Hajar, and Rofi Wahanisa. “The Constitutional Court Ultra Petita as a Protection Form of Economic Rights in Pancasila Justice.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 5, no. 1 (May 4, 2020): 187–224. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v5i1.35965.

Adryamarthanino, Verelladevanka. “Reformasi Indonesia 1998: Latar Belakang, Tujuan, Kronologi, Dampak.” Kompas, April 20, 2021. https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2021/04/20/144131779/reformasi-indonesia-1998-latar-belakang-tujuan-kronologi-dampak?page=all.

Agustine, Oly Viana, Susi Dwi Harijanti, Indra Perwira, and Widati Wulandari. “Constitutional Review of Criminal Norms: Does Indonesia Need Judicial Activism?” The International Journal of Human Rights 27, no. 4 (April 21, 2023): 772–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2023.2185608.

Aldiansyah. “Perubahan Non-Formal Konstitusi Di Indonesia Pasca-Reformasi Berdasarkan Pemikiran Fajrul Falaakh.” AL WASATH Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 2, no. 2 (2021): 93–102. https://doi.org/10.47776/alwasath.v2i2.

Allan, James. “The Three ‘RS’ of Recent Australian Judicial Activism: Roach, Rowe and (NO)’riginalism.” Melbourne University Law Review 36, no. 2 (2012): 743–82. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:293472.

Amiruddin, Amiruddin, and Rizki Ramadani. “Judicial Activism in Regional Head Election Dispute: The Practice and Consistency of The Indonesian Constitutional Court.” Substantive Justice International Journal of Law 6, no. 1 (June 20, 2023): 56–70. https://doi.org/10.56087/substantivejustice.v6i1.230.

Anderson, Gary. Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. Edited by Kathryn G. Herr. SAGE Publications. Cetakan 1. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2007. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412956215.n713.

Andiraharja, Diyar Ginanjar. “Judicial Review Oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi Sebagai Fungsi Ajudikasi Konstitusional Di Indonesia.” Khazanah Hukum 3, no. 2 (2021): 70–79. https://doi.org/10.15575/kh.v3i2.9012.

Andriawan, Wawan. “Pancasila Perspective on the Development of Legal Philosophy: Relation of Justice and Progressive Law.” Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi 5, no. 1 (June 29, 2022): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v5i1.6361.

Asshiddiqie, Jimly. Konstitusi Dan Konstitusionalisme Indonesia. Cetakan 2. Jakarta: Sinar Grafika, 2018.

Aulia, M. Zulfa. “Hukum Progresif Dari Satjipto Rahardjo.” Undang: Jurnal Hukum 1, no. 1 (June 1, 2018): 159–85. https://doi.org/10.22437/ujh.1.1.159-185.

Aulia, Muhammad Zulfa, Bimo Fajar Hantoro, Wawan Sanjaya, and Mahrus Ali. “The Use of Progressive Law Phrase in Constitutional Court Decisions: Context, Meaning, and Implication.” Jurnal Konstitusi 20, no. 3 (September 1, 2023): 423–50. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk3034.

Canon, Bradley C. “Defining the Dimensions of Judicial Activism.” Judicature 66, no. 6 (1983): 236–247.

Fadjar, A. Mukthie. Konstitusionalisme Demokrasi (Sebuah Diskursus Tentang Pmilu Otonomi Daerah Dan Mahkamah Konstitusi Sebagai Kado “Sang Penggembala” Prof. A. Mukthie Fadjar S.H., M.H. Cetakan 1. Malang: In-Trans Publishing, 2010.

Faiz, Pan Mohamad. “Dimensi Judicial Activism Dalam Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi.” Jurnal Konstitusi 13, no. 2 (January 1, 2016): 406–30. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1328.

———. “Relevansi Doktrin Negative Legislator.” Majalah Konstitusi. Jakarta, February 2016. https://www.mkri.id/public/content/infoumum/majalahkonstitusi/pdf/Majalah_109_1. Edisi Februari 2016 .pdf.

Fajarwati, Meirina. “Upaya Hukum Untuk Melindungi Hak Konstitusional Warga Negara Melalui Mahkamah Konstitusi (Legal Remedies to Protect Citizen’s Constitutional Rights through Constitutional Court).” Jurnal Legislasi Indonesia 13, no. 3 (2016): 321–32. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54629/jli.v13i3.

Fudin, Hanif. “Aktualisasi Checks and Balances Lembaga Negara: Antara Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Dan Mahkamah Konstitusi.” Jurnal Konstitusi 19, no. 1 (March 28, 2022): 202–24. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1919.

Hamdi, M. Adib Akmal, Xavier Nugraha, and Gio Arjuna Putra. “Konstruksi Kewenangan Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Dalam Memberikan Keterangan Pada Perkara Pengujian Undang-Undang Di Mahkamah Konstitusi.” Widya Yuridika: Jurnal Hukum 6, no. 2 (2023): 297–310. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31328/wy.v6i2.4255.

Harahap, Arbi Mahmuda, Catur Wido Haruni, and Sholahuddin Al-Fatih. “Juridical Analysis of Dissenting Opinions of Constitutional Judges in Constitutional Court Decisions.” Jurnal Scientia Indonesia 8, no. 1 (April 30, 2022): 89–114. https://doi.org/10.15294/jsi.v8i1.36048.

Hasanah, Galuh Nur, and Dona Budi Kharisma. “Eksistensi Judicial Activism Dalam Praktik Konstitusi Oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi.” In Souvereignty, 1:159–82, 2017. https://doi.org/10.13057/souvereignty.v1i4.122.

Heryansyah, Despan, and Harry Setya Nugraha. “Relevansi Putusan Uji Materi Oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi Terhadap Sistem Checks and Balances Dalam Pembentukan Undang-Undang.” Undang: Jurnal Hukum 2, no. 2 (March 24, 2020): 353–79. https://doi.org/10.22437/ujh.2.2.353-379.

Hidayat, Arif, and Zaenal Arifin. “Politik Hukum Legislasi Sebagai Socio-Equilibrium Di Indonesia.” Jurnal Ius Constituendum 4, no. 2 (October 15, 2019): 147–59. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.26623/jic.v4i2.1654.

Hirschl, Ran. “Constitutional Courts Vs. Religious Fundamentalism: Three Middle Eastern Tales.” Texas Law Review 82, no. 7 (2004): 1–42. https://doi.org/https://ssrn.com/abstract=557601.

Humaidi, M. Wildan, and Inna Soffika Rahmadanti. “Constitutional Design of State Policy as Guidelines on Indonesia’s Presidential System Development Plan.” Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi 6, no. 1 (June 28, 2023): 61–76. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v6i1.7981.

Indra, Mexsasai, Geofani Milthree Saragih, and Tito Handoko. “Pseudo-Judicial Review for the Dispute over the Result of the Regional Head Election in Indonesia.” Lentera Hukum 10, no. 1 (May 28, 2023): 111–34. https://doi.org/10.19184/ejlh.v10i1.36685.

Jafar, Kamaruddin. “Menguji ‘Positive Legislature’ Sebagai Kewenangan Mahkamah Konstitusi.” Halu Oleo Law Review 1, no. 2 (March 14, 2018): 246–51. https://doi.org/10.33561/holrev.v1i2.3644.

Jatoi, Sajjad Ahmad, Ghulam Mustafa, and Muhammad Saqib Kataria. “Judicial Activism and Democracy in Pakistan: A Case Study of Chief Justice Saqib Nisar Era.” Pakistan Journal of Social Research 04, no. 02 (June 30, 2022): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.52567/pjsr.v4i2.445.

Kariadi. “Kekuasaan Kehakiman Dalam Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945 Saat Ini Dan Esok.” Justisi 6, no. 2 (July 1, 2020): 99–110. https://doi.org/10.33506/js.v6i2.971.

Kawser Ahmed, L. M. “Judicial Activism in Bangladesh: A Golden Mean Approach.” International Journal of Constitutional Law 11, no. 2 (April 1, 2013): 547–51. https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/mot013.

Kmiec, Keenan D, E M Goltzman, M Thorpe, M Bošnjak, and H Eberhard. “The Origin and Current Meanings of ‘Judicial Activism.’” Pravnik 92, no. 5 (October 2023): 7–8. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-6172202322.

Koto, Ismail, Taufik Hidayat Lubis, and Soraya Sakinah. “Provisions of Legal Protection for Terrorism Victim in Order to Realize Constitution Order.” Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi 5, no. 2 (December 20, 2022): 243–52. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v5i2.6939.

Latif, Abdul. Fungsi Mahkamah Konstitusi Dalam Upaya Mewujudkan Negara Hukum Demokrasi. Cetakan 1. Yogyakarta: Kreasi Total Media, 2007.

Librayanto, Romi, Marwati Riza, Muhammad Ashri, and Kasman Abdullah. “Penataan Kewenangan Mahkamah Konstitusi Dalam Memperkuat Independensi Kekuasaan Kehakiman.” Amanna Gappa 27, no. 1 (2019): 43–66. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20956/ag.v27i1.7312.

M Sakr, Johnny, and Augusto Zimmermann. “Judicial Activism and Constitutional (MIS) Interpretation.” The University of Queensland Law Journal 40, no. 1 (March 26, 2021): 119–48. https://doi.org/10.38127/uqlj.v40i1.5643.

Mahfud MD, Moh. Politik Hukum Di Indonesia. Jakarta: Rajawali Press, 2014.

Marshall, William P. “Conservatives and the Seven Sins of Judicial Activism.” University of Colorado Law Review 73, no. 4 (2002): 101–40. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.330266.

Martitah. Mahkamah Konstitusi Dari Positive Legislature Ke Positive Legislature. Cetakan 1. Jakarta: Konstitusi Press, 2013.

Monteiro, Josef Mario. “Amendment of the Corruption Eradication Commission Act and Its Impact on the Constitution.” Jurnal Media Hukum 28, no. 2 (December 31, 2021): 184–93. https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v28i2.10941.

Muda, Iskandar. “Tidak Dinamis Namun Terjadi Dinamika Dalam Hal Uji Konstitusional Norma Zina.” Jurnal Yudisial 11, no. 3 (December 26, 2018): 291–306. https://doi.org/10.29123/jy.v11i3.316.

Murchison, Melanie. “Making Numbers Count: An Empirical Analysis of ‘Judicial Activism’ in Canada.” Manitoba Law Journal 40, no. 3 (2017): 425–501. https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/themanitobalawjournal/index.php/mlj/article/view/994.

Nugraha, Xavier, Risdiana Izzaty, and Alya Anira. “Constitutional Review Di Indonesia Pasca Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 48/PUU-IX/2011: Dari Negative Legislator Menjadi Positive Legislator.” Rechtidee 15, no. 1 (June 14, 2020): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.21107/ri.v15i1.5183.

Pathak, Puneet. “Acceptability of Judicial Activism in India Perspective.” International Journal of Law and Legal Jurisprudence Studies 3, no. 3 (2016): 130–43. https://ijlljs.in/acceptability-of-judicial-activism-in-india-perspective/.

Prabowo, Bagus Surya. “Menggagas Judicial Activism Dalam Putusan Presidential Threshold Di Mahkamah Konstitusi.” Jurnal Konstitusi 19, no. 1 (March 28, 2022): 073–096. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1914.

Prasetianingsih, Rahayu. “Judicial Activism in Indonesia: Constitutional Culture by The Constitutional Court.” PETITA: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Syariah 5, no. 2 (November 1, 2020): 160–77. https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v5i2.106.

Rahardjo, Satjipto. Membedah Hukum Progresif. Jakarta: Buku Kompas, 2006.

Rahmad, Noor, and Wildan Hafis. “Hukum Progresif Dan Relevansinya Pada Penalaran Hukum Di Indonesia.” El-Ahli : Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam 1, no. 2 (January 15, 2021): 34–50. https://doi.org/10.56874/el-ahli.v1i2.133.

Rahman, Md. Mostafizur, and Roshna Zahan Badhon. “A Critical Analysis on Judicial Activism and Overreach.” IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) 23, no. 8 (2018): 45–53. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-2308034553.

Rauta, Umbu, and Ninon Melatyugra. “Hukum Internasional Sebagai Alat Interpretasi Dalam Pengujian Undang-Undang.” Jurnal Konstitusi 15, no. 1 (March 29, 2018): 73–94. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1514.

Rodiyah, Siti Hafsyah Idris, and Robert Brian Smith. “Mainstreaming Justice in the Establishment of Laws and Regulations Process: Comparing Case in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 8, no. 1 (May 31, 2023): 333–78. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v7i2.60096.

Safi’. Sejarah Dan Kedudukan Pengaturan Judicial Review Di Indonesia: Kajian Historis Dan Politik Hukum. Edited by Safi’. Cetakan 1. Surabaya: Scopindo Media Pustaka, 2021.

Samsuri, Muhammad. “Relevansi Hukum Progresif Terhadap Hukum Islam.” Mamba’ul ’Ulum 17, no. 2 (October 28, 2021): 38–48. https://doi.org/10.54090/mu.48.

Satriawan, Iwan, and Tanto Lailam. “Open Legal Policy Dalam Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Dan Pembentukan Undang-Undang.” Jurnal Konstitusi 16, no. 3 (2019): 559–84. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1636.

Satriawan, Iwan, Farid Sufian Shuaib, Tanto Lailam, Rofi Aulia Rahman, and Devi Seviyana. “A Comparison of Appointment of Supreme Court Justices in Indonesia and Malaysia.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 7, no. 2 (December 21, 2022): 633–76. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v7i2.60862.

Sheikh, Danish. “Privacy in Public Places: The Transformative Potential of Navtej Johar v. Union of India.” Edited by Pablo Ciocchini and George Radics. SSRN Electronic Journal, August 22, 2019, 254. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3896689.

Sinaga, Dahlan. Kemandirian Dan Kebebasan Hakim Memutus Perkara Pidana Dalam Negara Hukum. Bandung: Nusamedia, 2018.

Soekanto, Soerjono. Pengantar Penelitian Hukum. Jakarta: UI Press, 1986.

Sommaliagustina, Desi. “Implementasi Otonomi Daerah Dan Korupsi Kepala Daerah.” Journal of Governance Innovation 1, no. 1 (April 18, 2019): 44–58. https://doi.org/10.36636/jogiv.v1i1.290.

Sorik, Sutan, and Dian Aulia. “Menata Ulang Relasi Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Dan Presiden Melalui Politik Hukum Haluan Negara.” Jurnal Konstitusi 17, no. 2 (August 19, 2020): 372–87. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1727.

Sugiono Margi, and Maulida Khazanah. “Kedudukan Mahkamah Konstitusi Dalam Kelembagaan Negara.” Jurnal Rechten : Riset Hukum Dan Hak Asasi Manusia 1, no. 3 (June 20, 2022): 25–34. https://doi.org/10.52005/rechten.v1i3.48.

Suhaimi, Else. “Eksistensi Pemerintahan Partai Dalam Sistem Ketatanegaraan Indonesia.” Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat 19, no. 2 (2019): 173–84. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v19i2.4417.

Szabó, Zsolt. “Judicial Control of Parliamentary Procedure: Theoretical Framework Analyses.” Constitutional Review 9, no. 1 (May 31, 2023): 001–027. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev911.

Tulaseket, Revivo. “Praktik Judicial Activism Dalam Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia.” Lex Administratum 8, no. 3 (2020): 5–15. https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/v3/index.php/administratum/article/view/29748.