New Chapter in Gibran's Diploma Controversy
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has been reported to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) regarding the alleged falsification of an educational equivalence certificate (suket) used during his 2024 Presidential Election registration. In addition to Gibran, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has also been named in the complaint.
The Advocacy Team for the Enforcement of Ethics, Morals, and National Integrity filed the report at Bareskrim Polri in South Jakarta on Wednesday (7/10/2026). The legal counsel for the complainants, Ahmad Khozinudin, stated that they have received an acknowledgement of receipt from the Public Complaints division.
“We were directed to the Public Complaints division and have received an acknowledgement regarding our police report, which concerns the alleged criminal act of falsifying documents and/or using documents containing untrue information in relation to fulfilling the requirements for the candidacy of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024,” said Ahmad at Bareskrim Polri.
The object of the dispute is the equivalence certificate issued by the Ministry of Education in August 2019. This document was used as Gibran’s educational equivalence document, equating his studies to senior high school (SMA).
“The reported object is the certificate. The reported articles are Articles 391, paragraphs 1 and 2. Paragraph 1 relates to the issuer, namely the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and paragraph 2 relates to the user of the certificate, namely Gibran,” he explained.
Linked to Constitutional Court Ruling
Khozinudin stated that the report was filed following a Constitutional Court (MK) ruling regarding Gibran’s educational requirements. According to him, although the lawsuit was not accepted, the judges’ legal considerations serve as evidence that Gibran does not possess a high school equivalent diploma.
“The Court has considered, examined, and reviewed data, facts, and evidence in court that Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka does not possess a high school, vocational school, or Madrasah Aliyah diploma,” said Khozinudin.
He further referenced the Constitutional Court judges’ considerations linking the certificate to Ministry of Education Regulation Number 29 of 2014 regarding Diploma Equivalence. According to Khozinudin, documents eligible for equivalence should be diplomas, graduation certificates, or foreign diplomas.
“It turns out Gibran does not possess any of those three objects. Gibran does not have a graduation certificate, diploma, or degree from abroad. The only basis used was the Grade 12 from Insearch UTS Sydney, Australia,” he explained.
Khozinudin noted that the Constitutional Court was unable to obtain direct testimony from Gibran regarding the diploma issue. Therefore, he hopes that police investigators will conduct a clarification with Gibran.
“However, in the investigation process, invitations for clarification, summons, and so on, can certainly be extended to any party suspected of being involved in the alleged criminal act,” he added.
Beyond the criminal route, Khozinuitin stated that they would also pursue a constitutional path through the House of Representatives (DPR). They intend to push for a joint session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) regarding the fulfilment of the Vice Presidential requirements.
Constitutional Court Ruling on Gibran’s Education
Previously, the Constitutional Court did not accept the dispute regarding the election results (PHPU) concerning the educational requirements of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his 2024 registration.
In its ruling, the Court stated it found no evidence showing Gibran possessed a high school equivalent diploma when registering as a vice-presidential candidate. Nevertheless, the Court stated it could not disqualify Gibran.
“The Court cannot cancel or disqualify Gibran Rakabuming Raka from his position as Vice President as requested in the petitioners’ prayer,” stated Constitutional Court judge Adies Kadir during the ruling session in Jakarta on Tuesday (6/10/2026).
Adies stated that the Court was not authorised to assess the fulfilment of presidential and vice-presidential requirements despite the facts regarding the absence of Gibran’s diploma from his studies abroad. He noted that other institutions hold the authority for such matters.
“The facts obtained by the Court regarding the absence of a diploma/certificate/degree from abroad, which serves as the basis for equivalence to high school or equivalent, substantially falls within the domain of institutions authorised to assess the validity and fulfilment of presidential and vice-presidential candidate requirements as regulated by the 1945 Constitution,” Adies said.
Gibran Respects the Court Ruling
Vice President Gibran previously responded to the Constitutional Court’s decision. He stated that he respects the ruling regarding the lack of evidence for high school equivalence in the 2024 election dispute.
Gibran stated he would focus on the success of President Prabowo Subianto’s vision and programmes.
“We respect all the stages and processes within the Constitutional Court. The most important thing now is that I will continue to focus on working for the people and ensuring the success of the vision, mission, and programmes of the President, as our leader,” Gibran said.
Regarding the Court’s ruling that it could not disqualify him despite the lack of evidence for a diploma, Gibran asserted that he continued his education to the undergraduate level after completing his high school equivalent studies.
“If I had not passed high school, it would have been impossible for me to attend university. I completed my undergraduate studies in Singapore,” he said.