Witness: KPU Cannot Reject High School Equivalence Certificate for Gibran, Must Verify
Former Commissioner of the General Elections Commission (KPU) RI, I Gusti Putu Artha, revealed that the KPU cannot reject equivalence certificates issued by authorised institutions during the hearing for case number 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026 regarding the Dispute of the 202lar Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Results at the Constitutional Court on Wednesday night.
“Can the KPU RI reject an equivalence certificate issued by an authorised institution stating that someone’s education abroad is equivalent, equal, or commensurate with high school in Indonesia?” asked Andi Azwan, representing the related party (Perkumpulan Militan Gibran 08 Nusantara), during the session.
In response, Putu explained that the KPU cannot reject any candidate registration documents submitted. However, he emphasised that these documents must still undergo verification for authenticity.
“During the registration process, the KPU cannot reject. Regardless of the document, even if it is damaged, they cannot reject it because the KPU has the capacity to verify whether these documents are complete or correct, and they can communicate accordingly. They cannot reject,” answered Putu.
“What I mean by saying they cannot reject is, does this mean the document is automatically correct or meets the requirements? Not necessarily, because there is a subsequent phase,” explained the former KPU member from the 2007-2012 period.
In addition to the witness, the Petitioners also brought experts, including election researcher and teacher Titi Anggraini, constitutional law expert Bivitri Susanti, and UGM constitutional law lecturer Yance Arizona.
The eligibility requirements for Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s candidacy as Vice President in the 2024 Presidential Election are currently being challenged at the Constitutional Court.
The Petitioners include the Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP), Partai Ummat, former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana, and six citizens part of the Forum Purnawirawan Prajurit TNI, namely M Subhan, Bonatua Silalahi, and Tiurma MS Sihombing.
Denny Indrayana explained that the document serving as a requirement for Gibran’s candidacy is merely an equivalence certificate, not proof of graduation or a diploma.
“The available document is only an education equivalence certificate issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture,” said Denny in his statement on Wednesday.
According to Denny, the certificate submitted to the KPU as a candidacy requirement states that Gibran attended UTS Insearch in Sydney, Australia.
The letter states that Gibran’s education is equivalent to Grade 12 or 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 graduated from the school.
“This letter was never officially presented. The letter was only obtained after an acquaintance, Bonatua Silalahi, requested it from the ministry,” he added.