Indonesian parties weigh parliamentary inquiry into VP Gibran’s education credentials

Several Indonesian political parties are considering a parliamentary inquiry into the validity of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's education credentials, as a rift widens between President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo, Gibran's father.

Several Indonesian political parties are considering a parliamentary inquiry into the validity of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s education credentials, as a rift widens between President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo, Gibran’s father.

The debate follows court rulings concerning documents Gibran submitted to meet the education requirements for vice-presidential candidates in the 2024 election.

Indonesia’s Constitutional Court said in October that it had found no convincing evidence that Gibran possessed a foreign diploma equivalent to a senior high school qualification. However, it dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify him, saying it could not annul his position as vice president because he had already been sworn in.

Separately, the Supreme Court ruled on October 30 that the certificate recognising Gibran’s overseas education as equivalent to senior high school was invalid. The ruling annulled the document issued by the education ministry, renewing questions about his eligibility.

The court decisions have prompted several parties to consider possible action in parliament.

Seven of the eight parties represented in parliament have joined Prabowo’s coalition, giving him a majority. Neither Widodo nor Gibran has a party represented in the legislature.

Three parties in Prabowo’s coalition and one outside it said they were considering three possible courses of action, officials told Reuters.

Under Indonesia’s constitution, lawmakers can seek an explanation from the government, launch an inquiry or investigation, or formally express their position on alleged legal or constitutional violations. Each option could be an initial step towards impeachment proceedings, although none of the parties involved has raised the prospect of impeachment.

“We are currently reviewing these options and also communicating with other political parties,” said Muhammad Kholid, a senior official of the Prosperous Justice Party.

Most parties had agreed that parliament should follow up on the two court rulings, he told Reuters.

The National Awakening Party, which is part of Prabowo’s coalition, is also “seriously” considering the three options, party official Muhammad Khozin said in a statement.

Golkar lawmaker Ahmad Doli Kurnia said formally expressing parliament’s position would be the most relevant response to the rulings, local media reported. Golkar is part of Prabowo’s coalition and holds the second-largest number of seats in parliament.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the only party outside Prabowo’s coalition, said public dissatisfaction over Gibran’s education credentials and a separate wiretapping scandal had prompted lawmakers to consider action.

“There’s increasingly intensive dialogue in the parliament to invoke their constitutional rights, especially after the wiretapping,” said the party’s senior official Hasto Kristiyanto.

The wiretapping case has added to tensions between Prabowo and Widodo. Former national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was known as a Widodo loyalist, was among three senior officers arrested in the investigation. The government has said the alleged wiretapping could amount to treason.

Gibran’s office did not respond to a request for comment.