Whispers of legal history echo within these walls. This is the Musholla Fakultas Hukum UI. This modest prayer space holds a story far grander than its physical size suggests.
The Faculty of Law University of Indonesia, or FH UI, is the oldest continuously operating law school in Indonesia. It was founded in 1924. It began as the Rechtsschool. Achmad Djajadiningrat, the Regent of Serang, requested it. He wanted to train legal staff for the district court.
Later, the name changed. It became Rechtshoogeschool te Batavia in 1924. Governor-General Dirk Fock made the change. The goal was to develop lower civil administration personnel.
During the Japanese occupation, the law school closed. It reopened in Jakarta in 1946. The NICA reestablished it as a temporary university. It was called Nood Universiteit or Emergency University. In 1947, the name Rechtshoogeschool te Batavia changed again. It became the Universiteit van Indonesie te Djakarta.
After the Indonesian National Revolution, things shifted again. The Universiteit van Indonesie te Djokjakarta moved to Jakarta in 1950. It merged with the existing institution. Together, they became the Universiteit Indonesia.
The law faculty played a key role in Indonesian history. Students of the Rechtshoogeschool formulated the Youth Pledge. This happened seventeen years before the Proclamation of Independence. The Youth Pledge identified customary law as a basis for Indonesian unity.
Alumni of FH UI include many distinguished figures. Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is a co-founder of Assegaf Hamzah and Partners. Najwa Shihab is a journalist. Scholars like Mardjono Reksodiputro and Maria Farida Indrati also graduated here.
Many alumni became leaders in developing Indonesia’s legal system. Delma Juzar was an actor and a lawyer. He developed the first profit-sharing contract in Indonesia. Nurbani Yusuf was a film star and a lawyer.
In 1957, Prime Minister Djuanda made a declaration. It concerned Indonesian waters. Chaerul Saleh tasked Mochtar Kusumaatmadja to develop the concept of the Archipelagic State. This concept was accepted internationally. It expanded Indonesia’s sovereign territory without bloodshed.
The early curriculum focused on producing capable jurists. It covered Roman private law and the Latin language. It also addressed the specific needs of the Dutch East Indies. Graduates became Indische jurists or Dutch East Indies jurists.
Even in times of conflict, the pursuit of education continued. After Japan surrendered, buildings displayed signs saying “Hak Milik Repoeblik Indonesia.” Lectures took place in various locations, including hospitals and private homes.
The Musholla Fakultas Hukum UI stands as a symbol. It connects faith, law, and the pursuit of justice. It echoes the dreams of a nation. It is a quiet space for reflection. It embodies the spirit of those who shaped Indonesia’s legal landscape. The Musholla Fakultas Hukum UI is more than just a prayer space. It embodies the spirit of the university.