The visit was intended to support the Benchmarking activities of the Mediation Institution and the Public Relations and Legal Aid Service Center (PLHBH) LP2M UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Head of PLHBH UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Afwan Faizin, MA, said that their university had just formed a Mediation Center in the past month. They want to develop the institution and learn and seek information related to it from universities that already have it. Of course, in this regard, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta prioritizes learning from State Universities with Legal Entities, one of which is USU.
“We want to get as much information as possible regarding the Mediation Center that has been accredited so that we can provide training for certified mediators,” said Afwan.
Coordinator of Legal Aid UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Ali Mansur, MA, added that UIN SHJ and USU have had a very close and long relationship. That is why UIN SHJ chose USU. Moreover, USU is currently led by a rector who has an educational background and experience in the legal field. He also added that they communicate very often with the USU Rector.
“From a legal perspective, UIN still has many weaknesses. So our arrival today is specifically to learn mediation. The development of mediation at UIN has actually been around for quite a long time. Early last year there was even an official institution, but it has not been accredited. This institution has a strategic position. Not only for law students but also psychology and other potential conflict science fields,” said Ali Mansur.
Head of the USU Legal Affairs Office Prof. Syafruddin Kalo, SH, welcomed the arrival of the UIN SHJ delegation and thanked them for the trust given to USU as a place to exchange information. Meanwhile, the Dean of the USU Faculty of Law Prof. Dr. Budiman Ginting, SH, M Hum, added that USU has conducted a lot of mediation training with the Supreme Court. USU also often conducts training whose participants are not only legal people.
In addition, Prof. Budiman also stated that the Supreme Court as the supervisor of justice in Indonesia, is often still half-hearted in carrying out its role. So certified mediators often cannot freely carry out their functions because there are no incentives.
“There should be assistance from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in the form of transportation costs for mediators. That way the program can run well. Not by functioning as judges as mediators, while their workload is already very heavy. Especially judges who work in Religious Courts. In fact, the best way to resolve a problem is to take the path of deliberation and consensus,” explained Prof. Budiman.
Secretary of the Legal Affairs Office, Yusrin, SH, M Hum, added that mediation can be carried out by anyone, as long as they meet the requirements outlined in the law. This is emphasized through Article 8 of Law No. 16/2011. The law has stipulated the requirements which include: being a legal entity, accredited based on this Law, having a permanent office or secretariat, having management and having a Legal Aid program.
The discussion related to the Mediation Center took place intimately until midday. The visit was closed with the presentation of souvenirs, taking pictures and having lunch together. Followed by a tour of the USU Faculty of Law and several other complementary institutions within the USU environment.
