HUMAS FH USU: On Wednesday, 15 July 2026, the Constitutional Studies Commission (K-3) of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI), in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FH USU), organized a Constitutional Discussion titled “Evaluating Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and Its Relation to MPR Decree No. XVI/MPR/1998” at the International Class Room 5, Faculty of Law, USU.

The discussion featured eight speakers from Universitas Sumatera Utara and the North Sumatra Chapter of the Association of Constitutional and Administrative Law Lecturers (APHTN-HAN), including Dr. Rosmalinda, S.H., LL.M.; Yusrin, S.H., M.Hum.; Dr. Robert, S.H., M.H.; Dr. Jelly Leviza, S.H., M.Hum.; Fredick Broven Ekayanta, S.I.P., M.I.P.; Wahyu Sugeng Imam Soeparno, S.E., M.Si.; Dr. Eka N.A.M. Sihombing, S.H., M.Hum.; and Dr. Dani Sintara, S.H., M.H.

The event was also attended by the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., along with the leadership of the MPR RI Constitutional Studies Commission, including Taufik Basari, S.H., S.Hum., LL.M., Chair of the Commission, accompanied by Vice Chairs Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Dr. H. Rambe Kamarul Zaman, M.Sc., M.M., as well as Martin Hutabarat, S.H. The forum also brought together members of the Constitutional Studies Commission, constitutional and economic experts from North Sumatra, and students of Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The discussion was organized as an academic forum to re-evaluate the implementation of one of the fundamental provisions of Indonesia’s Constitution governing the national economic system. Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia stipulates that the national economy shall be organized as a common endeavor based on the principle of mutual cooperation. It also mandates state control over sectors of production that are vital to the country and affect the livelihood of the people, including land, water, airspace, and the natural resources contained therein.

In addition to examining Article 33 of the Constitution, the discussion also explored its relationship with MPR Decree No. XVI/MPR/1998 on Economic Policy within the Framework of Economic Democracy, which serves as a key reference for shaping national economic policies based on justice, transparency, and support for a people-centered economy. The organizers noted that the implementation of these constitutional principles continues to face significant challenges amid globalization, economic liberalization, and rapid technological advancement, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive evaluation.

The forum addressed at least six key issues, including the characteristics and structure of business entities within Indonesia’s national economic system, state control over strategic sectors of production, state authority over land, water, airspace, and natural resources, the implementation of economic democracy, and the evaluation of legislation enacted to implement Article 33 of the Constitution.

Through this discussion, the organizers hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the substance of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, assess the continuing relevance of MPR Decree No. XVI/MPR/1998 in its implementation, and formulate strategic recommendations to enrich the studies conducted by the MPR RI Constitutional Studies Commission in strengthening Indonesia’s constitutional economic policies based on social justice and the prosperity of all citizens.