Gibran Responds to Constitutional Court Ruling on High School Diploma Controversy
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka responded to a Constitutional Court ruling, stating that his enrollment in a bachelor’s program proves he completed his secondary education, despite the court finding no physical high school diploma or equivalent foreign education certificate during challenges to the 2024 presidential election results.
Constitutional Court Findings on Foreign Education Documentation
During the 2024 Presidential Election Results Dispute hearings, the Constitutional Court examined documents concerning Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s educational background. According to records detailed by mkri.id, the court found no convincing evidence or physical diploma, certificate, or degree from abroad that could be formally equated with completing senior high school or an equivalent vocational and religious secondary institution as stipulated under Articles 169 and 227 of the Election Law.
Constitutional Court Justice Adies Kadir explained that the bench lacked direct jurisdiction to evaluate or invalidate candidate eligibility requirements once the election stage formally concluded. The legal status of candidates officially ended when winners were sworn into office on October 20, 2024.
According to the court’s verdict, evaluating the validity and fulfillment of presidential and vice-presidential candidacy requirements falls under the purview of other designated state authorities rather than the post-election dispute mechanism handled by the bench. Meanwhile, security forces led by Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner Reynold E. P. Hutagalung deployed joint personnel from the military and police to monitor the courthouse area, ensuring orderly proceedings during the verdict reading.
Vice Presidential Response and Higher Education Timeline
Responding to the verdict, Gibran Rakabuming Raka maintained that he respects all legal stages and processes enforced by the judiciary. Gibran stated to detikNews that his immediate priority remains focused on supporting the vision and programs of President Prabowo Subianto.
Addressing questions regarding his academic credentials, Gibran insisted that his subsequent enrollment in higher education demonstrates the validity of his foundational schooling. If I didn’t graduate from high school, it wouldn’t be possible for me to go to college.
PSI Dismisses Claims That Leaders Discussed Diploma Controversy
Bestari Barus dismissed suggestions that the leaders convened to discuss the educational dispute surrounding the Vice President. He characterized the diploma controversy as negligible compared to urgent national matters, noting that any mention of the legal challenge during the dinner would have been merely incidental rather than the primary focus of the discussion.
Legal analysts observing the verdict note that while the court acknowledged the absence of an equivalent foreign high school certificate, the procedural closure of the election cycle leaves the resolution of such credential disputes to administrative or legislative oversight bodies.