Margarito: Only a Political Miracle Can Save Gibran

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Constitutional law expert Margarito Kamis stated that only a political miracle can save Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

This is because, from a legal standpoint, Gibran's legitimacy is considered over after the Supreme Court declared the Certificate of Equivalency (Suket) for his candidacy in the 2024 vice presidential race invalid.

"From a legal perspective, it’s already done, now we just wait for a political miracle," Margarito said during a Newsroom discussion on Kompas.com, Tuesday (10/11/2026).

According to Margarito, if Gibran wishes to remain as Vice President, he must engage and negotiate with members of the legislature.

The Presidential Advisory Council member remarked that negotiating with President Prabowo Subianto is actually a misguided approach.

"In other words, the issue currently surrounding Mr. Gibran, when viewed constitutionally, is not within the framework of the constitution that places the president as the subject that must address it," he added.

"The president is outside of this issue according to the constitution," he reiterated.

He cited the Watergate scandal involving U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1974 as an example.

At that time, Congress was in possession of all the data related to the illegal wiretapping affiliated with Nixon.

The U.S. Congress subsequently declared one option for Nixon regarding the scandal: to resign from office.

Gibran ready to fight

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka himself is prepared to contest the Supreme Court’s decision concerning the controversy over his diploma equivalency.

He noted that his resistance is intended to prove that the questioned diploma was advised by President Prabowo.

"One of his suggestions was for me to continue to fight in the Administrative Court by presenting all documents from elementary school to undergraduate level," he revealed.

Gibran also mentioned that Prabowo advised him to coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikdasmen) as the defendant to file for a review (PK) in the Supreme Court.

"And also to coordinate with Dikdasmen to submit a PK in the Supreme Court," he stated.

He expressed great respect for all aspirations, critiques, and suggestions from the public regarding the current dynamics.

"I do not wish for the current dynamics to become a prolonged political polemic," he asserted.