Denny: Gibran's Educational Documents are Only Equivalency Certificates, Not Diplomas
The former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights, Denny Indrayana, has clarified the nature of the documents used as educational requirements for Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s candidacy in the 2024 Presidential Election.
Denny, who is a petitioner in the case before the Constitutional Court (MK), stated that the educational documents belonging to Gibran are merely equivalency statements, not proof of graduation or a formal diploma.
“The available documents are only in the form of an educational equivalency certificate issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture,” Denny said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Denny, the certificate submitted to the General Elections Commission (KPU) as a candidacy requirement states that Gibrantum attended UTS Insearch in Sydney, Australia. The document declares that Gibran’s education is equivalent to Grade 12 or senior high school, specifically equivalent to a vocational high school (SMK) specialising in Accounting.
He noted that the letter does not indicate that the individual has actually graduated from the said institution.
“This letter was never officially presented. The document was only obtained after an acquaintance, Bonatua Silalahi, requested it from the Ministry,” he added.
Furthermore, Denny questioned the reasoning behind the Ministry of Education and Culture (now the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education) issuing such an equivalency certificate, as the Ministry has yet to demonstrate any proof of completion.
“When questioned, the Ministry could not show any evidence of graduation, yet the equivalency certificate was issued,” he said.
The candidacy requirements of Gibran Rakabuming Raka for the 2024 Vice Presidency are currently being challenged in the Constitutional Court.
Previously, during the hearing on Wednesday (23/9), representatives from the KPU, the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), and other relevant parties provided testimony in court.
The petitioners include the Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP), Partai Ummat, Denny Indrayana, and six citizens comprising the Forum of Retired TNI Soldiers, namely M Subhan, Bonatua Silalahi, and Tiurma MS Sihombing.
In their petition, the applicants are asking the Court to declare that the educational requirements stipulated in Article 169 letter r of the Election Law are imperative and must be legally fulfilled at the time of registration and the determination of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
The petitioners are requesting the Court to declare the disqualification of Vice Presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka on the grounds that he fails to meet the educational requirements as per Article 169 letter r of the Election Law.