Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s political parties have started to respond to a Supreme Court ruling on Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s high school equivalency certificate.
The ruling has added a new dimension to the political debate over Gibran’s educational credentials. Several major parties are now discussing the possible legal and political consequences.
The Supreme Court granted an appeal challenging the validity of the certificate used during Gibran’s candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
Gerindra said it respected the court’s decision. The party also called for more clarity from the relevant government institutions.
Party spokesperson Sugiat Santoso urged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the General Elections Commission, or KPU, to explain the ruling publicly.
“We hope that the relevant ministers and authorized institutions can provide an open explanation regarding the follow-up to the ruling,” Sugiat said on Saturday, October 31.
He also asked the institutions to clarify the ruling’s impact on the administrative process during Gibran’s candidacy.
Sugiat said Gerindra viewed the decision as part of Indonesia’s legal process. He stressed that all parties should take court rulings seriously.
“Every court decision must, of course, be taken seriously and addressed in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” he said.
However, Sugiat also drew a distinction between the administrative issues in the case and Gibran’s constitutional position as vice president. He said each issue has its own legal mechanism.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDIP, said public calls for Gibran to step down were growing louder.
PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto said several party figures had also urged Gibran to resign. He named lawmakers Komarudin Watubun and Andreas Pareira among those who had expressed that view.
“What was conveyed by Mr. Komarudin and Mr. Andreas Pareira is that the person concerned should step down,” Hasto said.
“This is the voice of so many people that is growing louder. This voice must not be ignored.”
Hasto said PDIP could not take political action alone. The party holds 110 seats in the House of Representatives.
He said the party needed to open discussions with other political factions. PDIP has already started talking with several parties about possible next steps.
“Therefore, dialogue with other parties is also needed,” Hasto said.
The National Awakening Party, or PKB, also responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The party said the decision could give parliament another basis to consider its political response.
PKB lawmaker Muhammad Khozin pointed to an earlier Constitutional Court ruling on presidential and vice-presidential candidacy requirements.
“Two legal institutions, namely the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, have issued decisions regarding the status of Vice President Gibran’s school equivalency certificate,” Khozin said.
Khozin said the two rulings covered different legal areas. The Constitutional Court examined issues related to candidacy requirements.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court reviewed the administrative action behind the issuance of the equivalency certificate.
PKB said it would consider both legal developments before deciding its next political move.
The Supreme Court ruling has intensified the debate over Gibran’s educational credentials. The responses from Gerindra, PDIP and PKB suggest the issue could continue to develop in Indonesia’s political arena.
