Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Chief Legal Affairs Minister Mohammad Mahfud on Monday voiced his criticism of recent rulings by the Constitutional Court which allowed for the amendment of an article in the 2017 general election law related to the age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
The controversial decision permits Gibran Rakabuming Raka, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's son, to run as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election, despite not meeting the law's minimum age requirement of 40.
Under the court's ruling, the article was modified to create exceptions for those under 40 who have served or are currently serving in elected positions. Gibran, at 36, became eligible due to his election as the mayor of Solo two years ago.
This decision was made last week by a Constitutional Court panel led by Chief Justice Anwar Usman, who happens to be Gibran's uncle.
"This should not occur in the future because the court is based on specific principles. For instance, a judge should not handle a case that involves their own interests, those of their family members, relatives, or political allies," said Mahfud, himself a former chief justice of the Constitutional Court.
Mahfud is set to contest the election as a running mate for presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo in the February election.
According to him, the primary responsibility of the Constitutional Court is not to create new laws but to annul any regulations or laws that are in conflict with the Constitution.
Mahfud also expressed skepticism regarding the potential reversal of the ruling, even though the court has established an ethics council to review and investigate potential ethical breaches in the decision-making process.
Earlier in the day, the Constitutional Court rejected a motion to impose a maximum age limit of 70 years for presidential candidates, clearing the way for Prabowo Subianto's presidential candidacy. Prabowo, aged 72, has already announced Gibran as his running mate.