MK Rejects Challenge to Gibran’s Educational Qualification in 2024 Election

Jakarta: The Constitutional Court (MK) has rejected a legal challenge questioning the validity of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s educational qualification for the 2024 presidential election.

The case was registered as General Election Results Dispute (PHPU) case No. 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026.

Suhartoyo explained that the Constitutional Court justices granted the respondent’s objection insofar as it concerned the petitioners’ legal standing. However, the justices rejected the respondent’s and related party’s objections on other grounds.

“On the merits of the petition, the Court declares that the petitioners’ application is inadmissible,” Suhartoyo stated while reading the verdict at a hearing in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

A copy of the ruling will be sent after the hearing is closed or no later than two working days after the hearing ends.

The lawsuit was filed by 12 petitioners, including constitutional law experts Denny Indrayana, Bambang Widjojanto, Ansufri ID Sambo, Brahma Aryana, Bonatua Silalahi, and Tiurma M.S. Sihombing.

The petitioners argued that there were alleged administrative irregularities concerning Gibran’s educational qualifications when he registered as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

The petitioners added that Gibran’s overseas educational background, including his studies at Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore and subsequent programs at UTS Insearch in Australia and MDIS Singapore, did not have legally recognized equivalency with the senior high school (SMA) level or its equivalent in Indonesia.

The petitioners alleged that the General Elections Commission (KPU) may have failed to conduct or overlooked strict verification during the registration process for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

(Razaqa Hariz)