The Constitutional Court, the court of final and binding arbitration in determining the constitutional validity of the nation's laws and which issues decisions on electoral disputes, recently issued a ruling that bans political party members from running as a DPD candidate in the 2019 legislative election.

During a Kompas TV talk show that was broadcast live on July 26, Oesman, who is also the Hanura Party chairman, appeared to be irritated during a discussion on the polemic surrounding the ruling, and quipped that "the MK [Constitutional Court] is stupid". 

On Tuesday, July 31, the Constitutional Court sent a legal notice to Oesman following a meeting the court's nine justices held on Monday, during which they watched and reviewed a recording of the Kompas TV talk show.

"The Constitutional Court has concluded that [Oesman's] statement can be deemed an action that insults the honor, authority and dignity of the [court] and its justices," said Constitutional Court secretary-general Guntur M. Hamzah.

On Wednesday, Oesman still seemed reluctant to apologize to the court, saying that the court should be the one to initiate a meeting to discuss the matter.

"I can [ask for] apology. There's no problem with that," Oesman said. "However, as the DPD speaker, I must uphold the interests of the people, particularly those who live in the regions."

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