UIN Jogja Students Challenge Presidential Threshold
Four students from the State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga have taken on the challenge of testing the removal of the presidential threshold for candidacy for president and vice president. Enika Maya Oktavia, Rizki Maulayan Syafei, Faisal Nasirul Haq, and Tsalis Khoirul Fatna have been fighting for this cause since 2024. They have been challenging Article 222 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections (Election Law) at the Constitutional Court (MK).
According to them, eliminating the presidential threshold is crucial to introducing a more diverse range of presidential candidates that align with the preferences of the people. They have been supported by Gugun El Guyanie, the Head of the Constitutional Law Study Program, and Prof. Dr. H. Ali Sodikin, the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law.
Initial Doubts and Challenges
Initially, the students were not optimistic about their chances. Enika expressed that it was their first time drafting a real petition, despite understanding the basics. They lacked confidence in their submission to the MK and doubted its quality. However, they were pleasantly surprised that their petition made it to the subsequent hearings.
During the preliminary hearing, their petition was thoroughly scrutinized by the Honorable Judges of the MK. Despite thinking that their chances of proceeding to the main hearing were slim, they were grateful for the opportunity.
Validation and Resilience
Their doubts were further amplified by discussions with other constitutional activists. While nine individuals believed their petition would be rejected, eight others remained confident that it would be accepted. Enika emphasized that their petition had the potential to reshape the political landscape of Indonesia.
Despite receiving a dissenting opinion from two MK Judges, Anwar Usman and Daniel Yusmic Foekh, who argued that the students lacked legal standing, Enika and her colleagues remained resilient. They continued to respect the opinions of the judges and persevered in their pursuit of justice.
In a society where young voices often go unheard, these students exemplify the power of determination and advocacy. Their journey serves as a reminder that every individual can contribute to shaping the future of their nation, regardless of their age or background.
