DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/dilrev.10.2.2025.217-233

GUARDIAN OF THE CONSTITUTION: REVIEWING THE ROLE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

*Muhammad Mutawalli Mukhlis orcid scopus  -  Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Majene, Indonesia
Ahmad Masum scopus  -  Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Brunei Darussalam
Maskun Maskun scopus  -  Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Yusuf Ibrahim Arowosaiye scopus  -  Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Brunei Darussalam
Eka Merdekawati Djafar  -  Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 Diponegoro Law Review under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0.

Citation Format:
Abstract

The Constitutional Court of Indonesia is entrusted with safeguarding constitutional supremacy within Indonesia’s constitutional order, yet it does not possess the authority to review amendments to the 1945 Constitution. This institutional limitation creates a structural gap because constitutional amendments, despite their far reaching consequences, remain beyond judicial scrutiny. This study examines the constitutional feasibility of granting the Court authority to conduct procedural and substantive review of constitutional amendments. Using doctrinal legal research supported by comparative constitutional analysis, the article draws on Hans Kelsen’s theory of the hierarchy of norms and the Basic Structure Doctrine as developed in India and Germany to construct an evaluative framework suitable for the Indonesian context. The analysis demonstrates that the absence of judicial oversight over constitutional amendments weakens constitutional supremacy and increases the risk of democratic erosion through formally valid political processes. The article proposes a structured model of limited amendment review grounded in Indonesia’s constitutional identity, particularly the foundational principles embodied in Pancasila and the commitment to the rule of law. By articulating a contextually grounded doctrinal framework, this study contributes to contemporary debates on unconstitutional constitutional amendments and offers a normative pathway for strengthening constitutional guardianship in Indonesia.

Fulltext View|Download Email colleagues
Keywords: Constitutional Amendment Review; Constitutional Supremacy; Constitutional Identity; Judicial Review

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Articles
Language : EN
Most cited articles
Index DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES OF INDONESIA IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA ERA JUSTICE A YEARNING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTRACT IN THE SOCIETY MANAGEMENT, DISTRIBUTION, AND REDEMPTION OF VILLAGE FUND PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACCORDING TO INDONESIAN LAW (STUDY ON CENTRAL JAVA GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING THROUGH KPK2BGA) More cited articles
  1. Abeyratne, Rehan, and Ngoc Son Bui. The law and politics of unconstitutional constitutional amendments in asia. 1st ed. Routledge, 2022
  2. Ahmad, and Novendri M. Nggilu. “Denyut nadi amandemen kelima uud 1945 melalui pelibatan mahkamah konstitusi sebagai prinsip the guardian of the constitution.” Jurnal Konstitusi 16, no. 4 (2019): 785–808. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1646
  3. Alexy, Robert, and Julian Rivers. A Theory of constitutional rights. Oxford: New York Oxford University Press, 2010
  4. Andriyansyah, and T Lesmana. “Pengujian terhadap kebijakan hukum terbuka.” Civilia: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Dan Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan 2, no. 1 (2023). http://jurnal.anfa.co.id/index.php/civilia/article/view/206%0Ahttp://jurnal.anfa.co.id/index.php/civilia/article/download/206/202
  5. Arifa, Rona Dwi, Firmansyah Putra, and Muhammad Eriton. “Pengujian Terhadap kebijakan hukum terbuka.” Limbago: Journal of Constitutional Law 4, no. 2 (2024): 260–72. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22437/limbago.v4i2.35984
  6. Chen, Albert H. Y., and Andrew Harding. Constitutional courts in asia a comparative perspective. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108163903
  7. Elcaputera, Arie. “Desain Perubahan undang-undang dasar negara republik indonesia tahun 1945 berdasarkan sistem ketatanegaraan indonesia.” Universitas Jambi, 2024
  8. Ghafur, Jamaludin, Ariyanto, Muslim, Najamuddin Gani, Jayanti Puspitaningrum, and Moh. Amin Hamid. “Peran mahkamah konstitusi dalam mewujudkan amandemen uud 1945 yang berkualitas.” Syntax Literate: Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia 9, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36418/syntax-literate.v9i2.15255
  9. Gözler, Kemal. Judicial review of constitutional amendments:a comparative study. Ekin Press, 2008
  10. Hadinatha, Miftah Faried. “Peran mahkamah konstitusi mencegah gejala autocratic legalism di indonesia.” Jurnal Konstitusi 19, no. 4 (2022). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1941
  11. Hanafi, S. “Kewenangan mahkamah konstitusi dalam menafsir undang-undang dasar negara republik indonesia tahun 1945.” Jurnal Penelitian Hukum Dan Pendidikan 16, no. 1 (2017): 357–60. https://jurnal.iain-bone.ac.id/index.php/ekspose/article/download/92/42
  12. Hasibuan, M. Fadly, and Iza Rumesten. “Reorientasi kewenangan judicial review di mahkamah konstitusi berdasarkan prinsip supremasi konstitusi.” Ekspose: Jurnal Penelitian Hukum Dan Pendidikan 22, no. 2 (2023): 42–55. https://doi.org/10.30863/ekspose.v22i2.2713
  13. Hoecke, Mark Van. Methodologies of legal research: which kind of method for what kind of discipline? Oxford: Hart, 2011
  14. Hutchinson, Terry. Doctrinal research researching the jury. 2nd ed. United Kingdom: Routledge, 2017
  15. Ilyas, M. “Sistem perubahan undang-undang dasar negara republik indonesia tahun 1945: suatu kajian dalam teori perubahan konstitusi.” Jurnal Media Hukum 9, no. 1 (2022)
  16. Isra, Saldi. “Peran mahkamah konstitusi dalam penguatan hak asasi manusia di indonesia.” Jurnal Konstitusi 11, no. 3 (2016): 409. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1131
  17. Kommers, Donald P., and Russell A. Miller. The constitutional jurisprudence of the federal republic of germany: third edition, revised and expanded. 3rd ed. Duke University Press, 2012. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv125jqj0
  18. Kristina. “Pasal 37 UUD 1945, Begini 5 aturan perubahan undang-undang dasar.” detikEdu, 2021. https://www.detik.com/edu/detikpedia/d-5842641/pasal-37-uud-1945-begini-5-aturan-perubahan-undang-undang-dasar#:~:text=* detikTravel. * detikEdu
  19. Kurniawati, Ika. “Keberadaan klausul yang tidak dapat diubah (unamendable provisions) sebagai identitas konstitusi.” Lex Renaissance 7, no. 2 (2022): 226–242. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20885/JLR.vol7.iss2.art2
  20. Martosoewignjo, S. S. “Fungsl konstitusl dalam pembatasan kekuasaan.” Jurnal Hukum 3, no. 6 (2016): 1–6. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol3.iss6.art1
  21. Mau, Hedwig Adianto, and Tinton Ditisrama. Teori dan hukum konstitusi. Jakarta : PT Raja Grafindo Persada. Jakarta: PT Raja Grafindo Persada., 2008
  22. Muabezi, Zahermann Armandz. “Negara berdasarkan hukum (rechtsstaats) bukan kekuasaan (machtsstaat).” Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan 6, no. 3 (2017): 421–46. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.6.3.2017.421-446
  23. Mubarok, Hamdy, and Yogo Pamungkas. “Undang-undang terhadap undang di indonesia dan jerman.” Jurnal reformasi hukum trisakti 6, no. 4 (2024): 1444–56. 10.30984/as.v10i2.262
  24. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli. “Regional government autonomy in indonesia: the ambiguity of the federalism of republic model.” Malaysian J. Syariah & L. 13 (2025): 35. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol13no1.760
  25. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Paul Atagamen Aidonojie, Zulhilmi Paidi, and Muhammad Saleh Tajuddin. “Democratic state governance: the urgency of implementing conventions in constitutional practices in indonesia.” Fenomena 23, no. 1 (2024): 1–14. 10.35719/fenomena.v23i1.155
  26. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Maskun, Muhammad Saleh Tajuddin, and Zulhilmi Paidi. “Regional government according to the 1945 constitution: ideas refinements and law reform.” Journal of Law and Legal Reform 5, no. 2 (2024): 485–530. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.vol5i1.3125
  27. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Naswar, Aminuddin Ilmar, and Georges Olemanu Lohalo. “Periodization of general elections: ideas and refinements in indonesia.” Substantive Justice International Journal of Law 6, no. 2 (2023): 118–137. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.56087/substantivejustice.v6i2.245
  28. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Muhammad Saleh Tajuddin, Ilham, Koharudin, and Abdul Rahman. “Democratization or extra-constitutionalism: ideas for limiting the term of office for chairmen of political parties in indonesia.” Jambura Law Review 6, no. 2 (2024): 367–402. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v6i2.24116
  29. Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Harlida Abdul Wahab, Zulhilmi Paidi, Nila Sastrawaty, and Haslinda Hasan. “Heavy parliamentary v. heavy executive: ambiguity of power in indonesian constitutional practices.” Jurnal Media Hukum 1945, no. 2 (2024): 186–205. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v31i2.21703.
  30. Mutawalli, Muhammad, Harlida Abdul Wahab, and Zainal Amin Ayub. “Constitutional complaint: a comparative study of the authority of the constitutional courts of the republic of indonesia and croatia.” Russian Law Journal 11, no. 3S (2023): 132–42. https://doi.org/10.52783/rlj.v11i3s.744
  31. Nurwahyu, F Firman. “Pancasila and the constitution of the republic of indonesia 1945 in the constitution of indonesia.” In Proceeding International Conference on Law, Economy, Social and Sharia, 1:547–71, 2022
  32. Nurwulantari, Yunita, and Anna Erliyana. “Menimbang model pengujian keputusan pejabat publik oleh mahkamah konstitusi republik indonesia (studi perbandingan indonesia dan korea selatan).” Jurnal Konstitusi 18, no. 1 (2021): 168–94. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1818
  33. Polamolo, Susanto. “Reformasi konstitusi indonesia: fenomena transisi kekuasaan.” Supremasi Hukum 2, no. 1 (2013): 98–124. https://doi.org/10.14421/sh.v2i1.1902
  34. Preuss, Ulrich K. “The implications of ‘eternity clauses’: the german experience.” Israel Law Review 44, no. 3 (2011): 429–448. https://doi.org/doi: 10.1017/S0021223700018124
  35. Putra, Adi. “Peran mahkamah konstitusi dalam menjaga keseimbangan kekuasaan di sistem pemerintahan indonesia.” Majalah Ilmiah Warta Dharmawangsa 18, no. 4 (2024): 1451–62. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.46576/wdw.v18i4.5690
  36. Rafina, Yamani Akhhmad Zaki. “Peran konstitusi dalam demokrasi dan hak asasi manusia di indonesia.” CAUSA:Jurnal Hukum Dan Kewarganegaraan 2, no. 11 (2024): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3783/causa.v1i1.571
  37. Raianny, Ayu, and Arif Wibowo. “Rekonstruksi kewenangan mk dalam proses amandemen uud nkri 1945 untuk meneguhkan supremasi hukum.” REUSAM: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 11, no. 1 (2023): 65. https://doi.org/10.29103/reusam.v11i1.10541
  38. Ray, Michael. “Lisbon treaty.” Britannica, 2009. https://www.britannica.com/event/Lisbon-Treaty
  39. Roznai, Yaniv. “Unconstitutional constitutional amendments—the migration and success of a constitutional idea.” the american journal of comparative law 61, no. 3 (2013): 657–719. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43668170
  40. Saragih, Geofani Milthree, Ade Sathya Sanathana Ishwara, and Rengga Kusuma Putra. “Evaluasi penerapan nilai-nilai pancasila dan penegakan hak asasi manusia dalam sistem peradilan indonesia melalui pendekatan konstitusional.” Reformasi Hukum 28, no. 3 (2024): 202–217. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.46257/jrh.v28i3.1082
  41. Saragih, Geofani Milthree, Mirza Nasution, and Eka N A M Sihombing. “Makna filosofis putusan mahkamah konstitusi dalam constitutional review dan urgensi judicial activism.” Jurnal masalah-masalah huKUM 53, no. 3 (2024): 335–44. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.53.3.2024.326-335
  42. Singhvi, Abhishek. “How basic structure doctrine became one of the strongest safeguards for indian democracy.” The Indian Express, 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-most-powerful-safeguard-9124526/
  43. Sjarif, Fitriani Ahlan. “Prosedur perubahan uud 1945 dan dasar hukumnya.” Hukum Online.com, 2023. https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/a/prosedur-perubahan-uud-1945-dan-dasar-hukumnya-lt618a54773ee93/
  44. Sripadagalvaru, Kesavananda Bharati. Article 368 in Constitution of India (1973)
  45. Tamanaha, Brian Z. On the rule of law history, politics, theory. Cambridge University Press, 2012. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511812378
  46. Yuniwati. “Politik hukum dalam kesejahteraan rakyat.” Justicia Sains 2, no. 2 (2017): 131–40. 10.24967/jcs.v2i2.280

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-03-22 18:20:09

No citation recorded.