Civil Coalition Urges PKB to Launch Parliamentary Inquiry Into Vice President's Educational Credentials

Civil Coalition Meets PKB Faction Requests Inquiry on Gibran's Diploma Documents at DPR

The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the Indonesian House of Representatives received a delegation from the Civil Collective Alliance (AKSI) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Nusantara I Building of the DPR RI. The meeting centered on a formal request for PKB to initiate a parliamentary inquiry into the educational credentials of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

AKSI representative Ray Rangkuti delivered a written appeal urging the PKB faction to propose a parliamentary inquiry, known in Indonesian law as hak angket, to address ongoing questions about the diploma documents required for Gibran's vice presidential candidacy. The request follows a Constitutional Court ruling on October 6, 2026, which found no convincing evidence that Gibran possessed a foreign diploma, certificate, or degree equivalent to senior high school education, though the court dismissed the petition on procedural grounds.

The PKB, a centrist Islamic political party founded in 1998 and currently holding 68 seats in the DPR under the leadership of Muhaimin Iskandar, represents a significant political force in parliament. The party's support would be crucial for launching an inquiry, as Indonesian law requires at least 25 DPR members from more than one faction to propose such an investigation, followed by approval from a plenary session.

Court Findings and Public Statements at Odds

Ray emphasized that the inquiry is necessary due to apparent contradictions between the Constitutional Court's findings and public statements made by Gibran regarding his educational credentials. The court specifically determined that the Certificate of Attendance and documents submitted by Gibran under document number 9149/D.D1/KS/2019 constitute evidence of attendance in the learning process, not evidence of graduation or completion.

"This creates a new problem. The Constitutional Court has ruled that it was not found, yet outside of the court, they are making a big deal about having the diploma. Therefore, we encourage the DPR to facilitate Gibran's family to explain that the diploma exists."

Gibran has publicly defended his educational background, stating he attended the Management Development Institute of Singapore from 2007 to 2010, completing an Advanced Diploma, and arguing he could not have attended college without graduating from high school. The General Elections Commission verified Gibran's candidacy documents in October 2023 and accepted an official equivalency certificate as meeting the educational requirement for vice presidential candidacy.

Background of Legal Challenges

The original Constitutional Court case was filed by multiple petitioners, including the Independent Election Observer Committee (KIPP), former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana, the Ummat Party, and the Forum of Retired TNI Soldiers. While the court found insufficient evidence of Gibran's high school credentials, it ruled that the petitioners lacked legal standing to challenge his candidacy.

This is not the first controversy surrounding Gibran's eligibility for office. The 36-year-old vice president was below the constitutional age requirement of 40 when he became a candidate in 2024, but the Constitutional Court made an exception in October 2023 for elected regional leaders to bypass the age requirement. Gibran was inaugurated as Vice President on October 20, 2024, alongside President Prabowo Subianto, after their ticket won the presidential election with almost 59 percent of votes.

Parliamentary Inquiry Mechanism

Under Indonesian law, a parliamentary inquiry is the right of the DPR to investigate the implementation of laws or government policies related to important strategic matters that have broad impacts on society and are suspected to contradict regulations. The mechanism requires approval from a plenary session attended by more than half of DPR members, with a decision made by more than half of those present.

Ray argued that a DPR forum is necessary to prevent the diploma issue from continuing as a source of public controversy.

"If it is indeed true that Mr. Gibran has the diploma, it should be shown during the inquiry, which means we can resolve an issue that has occupied the nation for three years regarding this family matter."

Muhammad Khozin, Chairman of the PKB faction in Commission II of the DPR RI, acknowledged receipt of the written appeal from various figures, academics, and civil society organizations. He indicated that PKB would review the letter before determining next steps.

"After this meeting, we will formally receive the letter, and we will follow up on it, discuss it, conduct a thorough review, calculations, and so on."

The meeting represents the latest development in a controversy that has raised questions about electoral verification processes and constitutional compliance in Indonesia's highest offices.