EduAsiaNews, Bangka — Universitas Bangka Belitung (UBB) held a public lecture titled “Actualizing the Role of the Constitutional Court in a Democratic Rule-of-Law State” as part of its efforts to strengthen students’ understanding of the Constitution, democracy, and Indonesia’s constitutional system. The event, held on Friday (June 5, 2026), featured His Excellency Dr. Ridwan Mansyur, S.H., M.H., Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia, and Dr. Anna Triningsih, S.H., M.Hum., Senior Expert Assistant to a Constitutional Justice.
The lecture took place at Balai Betason on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) UBB and was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Planning, Information Systems, and Cooperation, Dr. Hamsani, S.E., M.Sc. The event was also attended by Elyas Kustiawan, S.Si., M.Si., Chair of UBB’s Internal Supervisory Unit (SPI); Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain, S.IP., M.A., Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP); Dr. Jeanne Darc Noviayanti Manik, S.H., M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Law; as well as lecturers, students, and members of the UBB academic community.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Hamsani emphasized that higher education institutions have a responsibility to foster constitutional awareness among younger generations. According to him, students need to understand the Constitution not merely as a legal document but also as a guiding framework for national and civic life.
“Through this event, students are expected not only to understand the theoretical aspects of constitutional law but also to recognize the relevance of the Constitution in addressing national issues and democratic challenges in Indonesia,” he stated.
The public lecture provided an academic forum to discuss the strategic position of the Constitutional Court (MK) as the guardian of the Constitution, ensuring that state administration operates in accordance with the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Students were encouraged to gain a deeper understanding of the Court’s role in safeguarding the Constitution, protecting citizens’ constitutional rights, and preserving democratic governance in Indonesia.
In his presentation, Justice Ridwan Mansyur explained that the Constitutional Court plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between law and democracy through its authority to review laws against the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, resolve disputes concerning the authority of state institutions, adjudicate election result disputes, and handle various other constitutional matters.
“The existence of the Constitutional Court is a vital instrument in protecting citizens’ constitutional rights while also preserving the quality of Indonesia’s democracy,” said Ridwan Mansyur.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anna Triningsih explained that citizens have the constitutional right to seek judicial review of laws against the 1945 Constitution if they believe that their constitutional rights have been harmed by the implementation of a particular law. She noted that although the Constitutional Court possesses four constitutional powers and one constitutional obligation, judicial review cases constitute the majority of matters handled by the Court.
She revealed that the Constitutional Court receives an average of approximately 30 cases each month. Of these, around 80 percent of applicants in judicial review cases are university students.
“The high level of student participation in filing judicial review cases reflects the growing awareness among young people of their constitutional rights as citizens,” Anna Triningsih explained.
The discussion session was highly interactive, featuring numerous questions from lecturers and students regarding constitutional dynamics, democratic development, and the challenges faced by the Constitutional Court in exercising its authority amid evolving societal and technological developments.
Through this public lecture, UBB reaffirmed its commitment to providing academic forums that enrich civic understanding, strengthen legal literacy, and encourage the development of a critical, democratic, and constitutionally aware younger generation.
(UBB Public Relations)
