JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia’s Constitutional Court (MK) declared a petition challenging Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s educational eligibility inadmissible on Tuesday, Oct. 6. However, the court said the evidence presented during the proceedings did not include convincing proof of a foreign qualification equivalent to an Indonesian senior high school diploma.

Chief Justice Suhartoyo delivered the ruling in case No. 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026. The case challenged Gibran’s eligibility when he contested the 2024 presidential election as Prabowo Subianto’s running mate.

“Having adjudicated, the Court declares the petition inadmissible,” Suhartoyo said.

The court upheld the election authorities’ objection concerning the petitioners’ legal standing. It also found that the presidential election-results mechanism no longer appropriately handled the dispute. This was because Gibran ceased to be a candidate after taking office on Oct. 20, 2024.

After reviewing the evidence and testimony, the court said it could not find a diploma, certificate or equivalent document proving that Gibran had completed foreign education equivalent to senior high school.

The supporting documents for a 2019 equivalency letter included a certificate of attendance, academic records and an explanation of grades. The court determined that a certificate of attendance only recorded participation and did not constitute proof of graduation.

Nevertheless, this finding does not amount to a judicial declaration that Gibran never graduated or used a fraudulent qualification. This means the case record did not contain convincing documentary proof that met the standard examined by the court.

The court also said it could not disqualify Gibran from his current office through this election-results case.

“Although the Court did not obtain convincing evidence of the foreign diploma, it cannot disqualify Gibran from his position as vice president,” Constitutional Justice Adies Kadir said, according to the court’s official.

Petitioners’ lawyer Refly Harun argued that the court’s reasoning could support a separate constitutional process in the House of Representatives (DPR). He described the outcome as benefiting both sides. Gibran remained in office while the court recorded the evidentiary gap.

That statement represents the petitioners’ interpretation. The ruling neither removed Gibran nor automatically initiated impeachment proceedings.

Under Articles 7A and 7B of the 1945 Constitution, the House must first form an opinion that a president or vice president committed a specified violation or no longer meets the requirements for office.

At least two-thirds of lawmakers present at a plenary session—attended by at least two-thirds of all members—must support sending that opinion to the Constitutional Court (MK). If the process advanced, the People’s Consultative Assembly would make the final decision.

Former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met President Prabowo at his private residence in South Jakarta while the court announced its decision. Jokowi arrived at about 7 p.m. and left around 8:45 p.m., according to Tirto. Neither side publicly linked the meeting to the ruling, and its agenda remained undisclosed.