Gerindra Legislator on Constitutional Court Ruling Regarding Gibran's Diploma: There Comes a Time When Political Battles End

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Azis Subekti, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party and part of the election bill working committee, stated that democracy should not be an endless political battle.

This statement by Azis came in response to the Constitutional Court's decision Number 01/PHPU.PRES-XXIV/2026, which found no convincing evidence regarding the diploma or educational certificates of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka that would equate to at least a high school education.

He reminded that elections have stages, dispute resolution mechanisms, and constitutional provisions that must be respected so that the government can return to focusing on the interests of the people.

“There comes a time when a nation must ensure that political battles have an end,” Azis said in a press release on Friday (23/10/2026).

Azis emphasized that a stable democracy is needed to prevent the country from remaining entrenched in political disputes.

He likened democracy to a football match that has rules and time limitations.

“Democracy has its own rules and deadlines. In football, there is the match duration, a referee, match officials, and VAR,” he noted.

According to Azis, decisions made in matches can be contested through available mechanisms.

However, the outcomes cannot be determined by spectators or be forced to be replayed until they align with the desires of certain groups.

“Decisions can be critiqued, and objections can be raised according to the rules. However, spectators cannot dictate the outcome themselves or demand that matches be replayed until a winner emerges as they wish,” Azis asserted.

He believes that similar principles apply to governance, including when facing calls for the impeachment of the President and Vice President.

Azis stressed that Articles 7A and 7B of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia regulate the reasons and mechanisms for the impeachment of the President and Vice President through the House of Representatives, the review and decision of the Constitutional Court, and decisions of the People's Consultative Assembly.

The stringent mechanisms are part of respecting the mandate of the people through direct presidential and vice-presidential elections.

“The grounds for impeachment must be tested against the actions or conditions of the President as per the constitution. He cannot simply be removed based on disputes regarding the Vice President,” he explained.

Furthermore, Azis reminded that the President does not have the authority to unilaterally remove the Vice President.