What Is the Right to Express Opinions of the DPR Amid the Gibran Degree Controversy?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The right to express opinions has become a significant issue following the Supreme Court's (MA) ruling concerning the certificate of equivalency for senior high school education belonging to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Chairperson of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani confirmed that the DPR leadership has received a report concerning the proposal to use the right to express opinions, signed by dozens of DPR members.

Puan stated that the DPR will follow up on this report while considering the mechanisms and applicable constitutional provisions.

"Yes, we have indeed received this report. However, we will follow up after the opening of this session, regarding how, who, and what the mechanism is. Of course, everything must comply with the existing mechanisms and constitution. So, we adhere to the current constitution," Puan said at the DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (10/11/2026).

Puan also revealed that the DPR leadership has received several aspirations regarding the proposed impeachment of Gibran during the recess period.

With the reopening of the DPR session, the leadership will first listen to various inputs from factions and relevant commissions concerning Gibran's educational issues.

"Certainly, the leadership will process this matter, listen to the reports and inputs, and only then will steps be taken concerning this issue," Puan stated.

So, what exactly is the right to express opinions that has arisen amid the controversy surrounding Gibran's education?

The Right to Express Opinions in the DPR

According to Law No. 17 of 2014 concerning the MPR, DPR, DPD, and DPRD (MD3), the right to express opinions is one of the rights of the DPR when a state official fails to perform their duties.

The right to express opinions can be proposed by a minimum of 25 DPR members, as regulated in Article 210 paragraph (1) of the MD3 Law.

"The right to express opinions as referred to in Article 79 paragraph (1) letter c is proposed by at least 25 (twenty-five) members of the DPR," states Article 210 paragraph (1) of the MD3 Law.

Furthermore, according to Article 210 paragraph (2) of the MD3 Law, the right to express opinions must be accompanied by documents that at a minimum include:

• The material referred to in Article 79 paragraph (4) letter a and the reasons for proposing the opinion;
• The materials resulting from the exercise of the right of interpellation or the right of inquiry as referred to in Article 79 paragraph (4) letter b;
• The material and valid evidence of alleged actions as referred to in Article 79 paragraph (4) letter c, or material and valid evidence of alleged non-compliance with the requirements as President and/or Vice President as referred to in Article 79 paragraph (4) letter c.

"The proposal referred to in paragraph (1) becomes the right to express opinions of the DPR after receiving approval from the DPR plenary session attended by at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of the total number of DPR members, and the decision is made with the approval of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of the DPR members present," states Article 210 paragraph (3) of the MD3 Law.

canva.com Photo illustration of the DPR.

The proposal for the right to express opinions is submitted by the proposer to the DPR leadership. Then, the proposal is announced by the DPR leadership in the plenary session.

After that, the Deliberative Body (Bamus) will discuss and schedule the DPR plenary session and provide an opportunity for the proposer to explain their proposal.

"As long as the proposal for the right to express opinions as referred to in paragraph (1) has not been approved by the DPR plenary session, the proposer may amend and withdraw their proposal," states Article 211 paragraph (4) of the MD3 Law.

"If the number of signatories to the opinion proposal that has not entered the first level discussion is less than the number referred to in Article 210 paragraph (1), additional signatures must be obtained to meet the required number," states Article 211 paragraph (5) of the MD3 Law.

If, by the end of two sessions, the required number of signatories is not met, the proposal becomes null and void.

Formation of a Special Committee If the Right to Express Opinions Is Accepted

If the DPR accepts the proposal for the right to express opinions, the institution will form a special committee (pansus) consisting of all elements of the DPR factions by DPR decision.

"The special committee referred to in Article 212 paragraph (2) reports its activities to the DPR plenary session no later than 60 (sixty) days from the establishment of the special committee," states Article 213 paragraph (1) of the MD3 Law.

Furthermore, according to Article 214 paragraph (1) of the MD3 Law, the DPR will report the results of this committee to the government if it receives the committee’s report.

After that, the DPR must also submit the committee's report to the Constitutional Court (MK) for a ruling.

"If the DPR plenary session as referred to in Article 213 paragraph (2) decides to accept the report of the special committee that states that the President and/or Vice President has committed legal violations in the form of treason against the state, corruption, bribery, other serious crimes, or disgraceful acts, or no longer meets the requirements as President and/or Vice President, the DPR submits its decision on the right to express opinions to the Constitutional Court for a ruling," states Article 214 paragraph (2) of the MD3 Law.

"The DPR's decision regarding the proposal to express opinions as referred to in paragraph (2) is submitted to the President," states Article 214 paragraph (5) of the MD3 Law.

ANTARA FOTO/Rivan Awal Lingga The atmosphere during President Prabowo Subianto's state address regarding the Government's Explanation/Statement on the Draft Law on the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and its Financial Notes at the Opening Plenary Session of the First Session of the DPR for the 2026-2027 Legislative Year at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Friday (14/8/2026).

If the Constitutional Court determines that the DPR's right to express opinions is valid, the DPR will hold a plenary session to forward the proposal for the dismissal of the President and/or Vice President to the MPR.

"If the Constitutional Court decides that the DPR's opinion as referred to in Article 214 paragraph (2) is valid, the DPR shall hold a plenary session to forward the proposal for the dismissal of the President and/or Vice President to the MPR," states Article 215 paragraph (2) of the MD3 Law.