Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has rejected a petition seeking to disqualify Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka over questions about his educational qualifications. The ruling was announced on October 6 by Chief Justice Suharto, who declared the petition inadmissible.

The petition was filed by a group of 12 individuals, including former deputy law minister Denny Indrayana. They challenged Gibran’s eligibility on the grounds that he had not completed the equivalent of senior high school, a constitutional requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Indonesia. The petitioners argued that Gibran submitted only a transcript and a certificate of attendance—not a formal high school diploma—to Indonesia’s General Elections Commission (KPU) as proof of his educational qualifications.

Gibran, 39, is the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo. His education was largely abroad, including secondary education at Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore and further studies at the University of Technology Sydney’s affiliated college Iseanorth. He subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2010 from Britain’s University of Bradford through a partnership with the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

While the court acknowledged that the documents Gibran submitted did not constitute a formal high school diploma or its equivalent, it ruled that disqualification was not possible because Gibran was no longer a candidate in the election. Additionally, the court determined that only candidates directly involved in the 2024 presidential election had the legal standing to challenge eligibility issues, effectively disqualifying the petitioners from pursuing the case.

Justice Liliek Prisbandono stated that the petitioners lacked the necessary legal standing, citing the nature of the case as an election dispute restricted to contestants of the election.

Following the decision, Refly Harun, part of the petitioners’ legal team, expressed mixed sentiments. He noted that while the court’s ruling prevented Gibran’s disqualification, it also publicly confirmed that Gibran did not possess a recognized senior high school diploma. Refly suggested this could open the door for parliamentary action, including a possible impeachment, and indicated plans to engage with parliamentary leaders on the issue.

Parliamentary Speaker Puan Maharani had previously refrained from detailed comments, emphasizing respect for the ongoing judicial process and the court’s ultimate decision.

Gibran’s candidacy had faced controversy not only due to questions about his education but also because he did not meet the minimum age requirement of 40 for the vice-presidential office. The Constitutional Court, under Chief Justice Anwar Usman, previously granted an exemption for candidates who had won regional elections, a criterion Gibran met after his election as mayor of Surakarta in 2021.

The presidential palace has maintained a low profile on the matter. Government Communications Agency head Syahganda Nainggolan stated that President Prabowo Subianto respects judicial independence and will not intervene in the case.

In response to the ruling, Gibran said on October 7 that he accepts the Constitutional Court’s decision and remains focused on his duties. When questioned about the absence of a formal high school diploma, he countered by emphasizing that without a high school completion, he would not have been able to attain his university degree in Singapore.