FH USU PR: On Monday (17/02/2025), the Faculty of Law of Universitas Sumatera Utara (FH USU) held the inaugural session of the Alumni Teaching program as part of the celebration of the 71st Anniversary of FH USU. The event took place in the International Classroom of FH USU. This first session featured FH USU alumnus M. Ridha Thanthawi, S.H., a Corporate Lawyer and Junior Associate at Assegaf Hamzah & Partners (AHP) Law Firm, Jakarta, as the speaker. The event was attended by FH USU students from various specializations.
The event commenced with an opening speech by the Head of the FH USU 71st Anniversary Committee, Erni Ariyanti Sitorus, S.H., M.Kn., represented by Secretary I, Dr. Yati Sharfina Desiandri, S.H., M.H. This was followed by a welcoming remark from the lecturer of the Competition Law course, Prof. Dr. Ningrum Natasya Sirait, S.H., MLI., represented by Dr. Robert, S.H., M.H.
FH USU alumnus M. Ridha Thanthawi, S.H., in his presentation titled "Introduction to Competition Law," outlined key fundamentals of Competition Law, including Competition Law and the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), Abuse of Dominant Position, Cartels, and Merger Control. M. Ridha also emphasized that the primary objective of competition law is to regulate business conduct, ensuring that businesses do not engage in cartel practices, abuse of dominant position, or uncontrolled mergers that could lead to market concentration.
Furthermore, Ridha Thanthawi also explained, from a practitioner's perspective, companies' assessment practices regarding their compliance with competition law. He highlighted the importance of adhering to competition law regulations, particularly for multinational corporations, as non-compliance could impact their reputation. He also emphasized the necessity for companies to carefully examine any statements that serve as evidence of communication in meetings among company executives.
After the presentation, the event continued with a question-and-answer and discussion session, which students enthusiastically attended. One of the questions came from a student who asked for a lawyer's advice on mergers that tend to disrupt the demand system, such as the merger of several mobile providers, leaving only three providers in the market. In response, Ridha Thanthawi explained that the advice would likely revolve around the actions that the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) might take against the merging companies—whether they would impose behavioral or structural remedies.
At the end of the event, the Dean of FH USU, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, S.H., M.Hum., explained that the purpose of the Alumni Teaching program is to maintain good relations with alumni, provide students with insights into career prospects after graduation, and meet curriculum targets by enhancing students' skills and knowledge. A closing remark was also delivered by Prof. Dr. Ningrum Natasya Sirait, S.H., MLI., as the lecturer of the Competition Law course. She emphasized that FH USU is one of Indonesia's pioneering institutions in competition law and has produced many outstanding alumni in this field.
The event concluded with the Dean of FH USU, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, S.H., M.Hum., and Prof. Dr. Ningrum Natasya Sirait, S.H., MLI., presenting certificates and a plaque to the speaker, M. Ridha Thanthawi, S.H. The session ended with a group photo featuring all student participants who attended the Alumni Teaching class.