Yogyakarta – The Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM), won first place in the 2018 MPR RI Constitutional Debate Competition at the provincial level. The competition was held on Sunday, 24 June 2018, at the East Parc Hotel. This marked FH UGM’s first title in the competition. In the previous year, which was the inaugural edition of the competition, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) was not included among the participating regions. Now entering its second edition, the competition also provided UGM with an opportunity to represent DIY in the national final round, which will be held from 23–31 August 2018 at the MPR RI Building in Jakarta.
The FH UGM delegation consisted of I Wayan Bhayu Eka (FH 2017), Fahrel Yusri Rahmat (FH 2016), and Reno Surya Rindiatama (FH 2014), supported by the research team comprising Sadam Richwanudin (FH 2015), Mercylia Leonata Gebrina (FH 2016), and Bramanda (FH 2015). The debate team was coached by Laras Susanti, S.H., LL.M., with Luthfi Dwi Hartono serving as co-coach. The other participating teams at the DIY provincial level were Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Universitas Islam Indonesia, and UIN Sunan Kalijaga, which replaced Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta after the latter withdrew from the competition. Laras Susanti, S.H., LL.M., emphasized that the FH UGM Debate Team should not become complacent, given the strong competition they would face at the national level. The competition concluded with UMY finishing fourth, UII third, UIN Sunan Kalijaga second, and UGM taking first place.
Across six consecutive matches, six MPR RI members from the MPR Study Board served directly as the competition’s judges. Among them were Prof. Dr. Hendrawan Supratikno and Martin Hutabarat, S.H., Vice Chair of the MPR RI Study Board. In the first match, UGM drew with UIN Sunan Kalijaga with a victory point score of 3–3. In the second match, UGM secured a decisive 6–0 victory over UII on the motion concerning the election of governors, regents, and mayors through regional legislative councils (DPRD). In the final match, UGM narrowly defeated UMY with a 4–2 victory point score. The Debate Team asked for the prayers and support of the entire FH UGM academic community as they prepare to advance further in the upcoming national final round. – (RSR)
