en.malanginspirasi.com – Indonesia General Elections Commission (KPU) has acknowledged that it did not independently verify Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s high school-equivalent education credentials during the 2024 presidential election registration process.
During a Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi) hearing on September 23, 2026, KPU Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin stated that the commission relied solely on a 2019 certificate of equivalency issued by the Ministry of Education.
The document stated that Gibran had completed Grade 12 at UTS Insearch in Sydney in 2006 and possessed knowledge equivalent to an Indonesian vocational high school (SMK) graduate.
“We did not go to the education office. At the time we already received the certificate of equivalency, and there were no reports,” Afifuddin told the court in response to questions from Justice Saldi Isra.
He added that the KPU considered the ministry-issued document sufficient because it came from the authorized institution.
The case, registered as No. 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026, was filed by constitutional law expert and former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana along with other petitioners.
They argue that Gibran’s overseas schooling in Singapore and Australia may not fully meet the senior secondary education requirement under Election Law, and that the equivalency certificate lacks supporting diplomas or certificates as required by ministerial regulations.
The petitioners seek deeper scrutiny that could affect the validity of his 2024 candidacy.
Judges expressed surprise at the verification process.
Justice Saldi Isra compared it unfavorably to local election commissions (KPUD), which conducted more thorough checks of education documents during the 2024 regional elections.
KPU representatives maintained that Gibran met all requirements under existing regulations, including a 2023 KPU rule that exempts certain overseas-educated candidates who already hold higher education qualifications from submitting high school proof.
They also argued that the petition effectively seeks impeachment, a process outside the court’s jurisdiction for election result disputes filed long after the legal deadline.
Public reactions have highlighted frustration over election accountability and transparency.
The Constitutional Court is expected to decide on further hearings in the coming days.
Gibran, the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo, serves as Vice President alongside President Prabowo Subianto following their 2024 victory.
