The Burden of Gibran's Diploma Issue: What Direction for PKS and PDI Perjuangan?

THERE is new momentum following the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the equivalent high school diploma issue involving Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The president of PKS, Almuzzammil Yusuf, asserted that his party is listening to the people's voices calling for the matter to be "resolved and legally and constitutionally processed in the DPR" (Kompas.com, 19/10/2026).

The immediate interpretation is that Gibran's diploma issue is 'not resolved' after the Constitutional Court declared that the application could not be accepted due to the applicant lacking legal standing.

In the context of PKS, Gibran's high school equivalent diploma issue needs to be addressed through political mechanisms in the DPR.

The PKS Central Leadership Council instructed daily officials to communicate with other parties to discuss the dynamics arising from the Constitutional Court's decision.

Not just PKS, but PDI Perjuangan, through its Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, stated that the high school equivalent diploma issue is a burden for President Prabowo Subianto. This "diplomagate" touches on moral, ethical, and accountability issues of a public official, according to Hasto.

This new development has surfaced at a moment marking two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Almuzzammil spoke during the National Technical Guidance of PKS in Jakarta on October 19, 2026.

Meanwhile, Hasto made his remarks at the Party School in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, two days later.

In politics, such moments are not merely calendar events. They signal tendencies, signs, or even directions and trends within political parties regarding issues and cases.

The case of Gibran's high school equivalent diploma is significant—not trivial—because it concerns the legitimacy of a vice president who, according to the constitution, will serve until October 20, 2029.

PKS is part of the Indonesia Maju Coalition (KIM) plus. The party has recently joined the ranks of supporters for Prabowo-Gibran.

Originally, PKS nominated Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar but lost in the 2024 presidential election. This later political position of joining makes it clear that the party is not the core strength of KIM plus.

This contrasts with Gerindra, Golkar, PAN, and Democrats, which from the beginning agreed to support Gibran as Prabowo's vice-presidential candidate.

Thus, it is understandable and reasonable that there are no signals as clear as PKS's from these four parties regarding the "diplomagate".

The Chairperson of Golkar Party, Bahlil Lahadalia, reminded the public to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence regarding the Gibran diploma controversy.

Golkar does not have the same freedom as PKS since it has to deal daily with coalition decisions positioning Gibran to run alongside Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election.

Parties that nominated Gibran as a candidate are morally bound by the previous decision. Alongside this, there is a duty and responsibility to oversee the duo when faced with problems.

In contrast, PKS has no such burden. On paper, if it has intentions and political will, PKS could push for a thorough investigation into Gibran's high school diploma issue through political mechanisms in the DPR.

In terms of oversight functions, this body has three rights: the right to interpellation, the right to inquiry, and the right to express opinions.