MK Justice Saldi Isra Questions Bawaslu's Oversight on Gibran's Education Requirement

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Constitutional Court (MK) Justice Saldi Isra questioned the supervision role of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) concerning the education requirements of vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the 2024 presidential election.

He raised this question to Bawaslu during the preliminary hearing of the election result dispute case (PHPU) Number 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026, which challenges Gibran's senior high school education qualification.

"To Bawaslu, please explain to us what actions you have taken as election supervisors regarding the fulfillment of these requirements," Saldi said during the hearing, as quoted from the MKRI YouTube broadcast on Monday evening (21/9/2026).

"Was there any monitoring? Or did anyone file an objection to Bawaslu?" he added.

He also inquired about Bawaslu's role before the issuance of General Election Commission (KPU) Regulation (PKPU) Number 19 of 2023.

This regulation, PKPU 19/2023, exempts proof of high school graduation for candidates who studied abroad and already possess a university degree as evidence of graduation.

"When the requirement was amended through PKPU 19/2023, what actions did Bawaslu take for this stage? At least this can provide an overview of how the process worked to fulfill this requirement," Saldi said.

Gibran's Candidacy Requirements Challenged at MK

As background, Denny along with several parties filed a lawsuit challenging Gibran’s vice presidential candidacy in the 2024 election, arguing he does not meet the education requirement.

During the hearing, Denny claimed that Gibran's insufficient educational background as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election had been concealed.

"The information (about Gibran's educational requirement) was hidden and withheld, even until now," Denny said during the hearing.

Recently, his side only obtained information indicating that Gibran's senior high school education did not meet the criteria to qualify as a vice presidential candidate.

"In this case, the information and awareness about Gibran not meeting the education requirement only emerged lately," said Denny.

Denny revealed that the petitioners in PHPU Number 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026 had previously contested Gibran's education qualifications through general courts, the administrative court (PTUN), the Central Information Commission (KIP), and even sent letters to the House of Representatives (DPR).

He added that all these efforts failed to provide clarity, leaving the MK as the last hope.

"Hence the Court acts as the court of last resort to prevent a denial of justice," Denny stated.

ANTARA FOTO/Fauzan Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attending the 2026 Annual Session of MPR RI and Joint Session of DPR-DPD RI at Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Friday (14/8/2026).

Request to Disqualify Gibran at MK

In their petition, they requested the MK to declare that the educational requirements specified in Article 16 letter r of Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Elections are mandatory and must be properly fulfilled at the time of registration and determination of the presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs.

Secondly, they asked the MK to affirm that the educational requirement stipulated in Article 16 letter r of Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Elections is an imperative condition that must be met legally at the time of registration and determination of candidate pairs.

The third petition demands the disqualification of Gibran for failing to meet the requirements outlined in the second petition.

Fourth, they requested that Gibran's appointment as vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election be declared legally void from the outset for lacking binding legal force.

Tangkapan layar Youtube MKRI Denny Indrayana and several parties during the preliminary hearing of election result dispute case Number 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026 at the Constitutional Court (MK), Monday evening (21/9/2026).

The fifth petition asks to annul related decisions by the General Election Commission (KPU) concerning Gibran.

The three KPU decisions requested to be invalidated include the appointment of Gibran as a candidate, the determination of the presidential election candidate numbers for the vice presidential candidate, and the determination of the presidential election results under KPU decisions numbered 1632, 1644, 360, and 504 respectively.

The sixth petition requests annulment of Gibran’s inauguration as Vice President conducted by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Seventh, they urge the MK to order the MPR to hold a session to elect a new Vice President in accordance with the 1945 Constitution. Lastly, they request the MK to mandate the publication of this decision in the state gazette.