Unraveling Gibran's Narrowing Legal Path Amidst Diploma Controversy

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The controversy surrounding the educational credentials of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka shows no signs of resolution.

Amid a ruling by the Supreme Court (MA) that annulled the equivalency certificate for his diploma, Gibran is prepared to take legal action to validate his educational documents.

Gibran indicated that he received advice from President Prabowo Subianto to continue the fight through the State Administrative Court (PTUN), presenting all educational documents from elementary school to university.

He also mentioned that Prabowo suggested he coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikdasmen) to file for a judicial review (PK) with the Supreme Court.

However, this move faces fundamental issues, mainly the finality of the court's decision.

Several legal experts believe Gibran's options to alter the situation through legal avenues are increasingly limited.

In fact, his effort to maintain his vice presidential position now intersects with political and constitutional consequences.

Limits on Gibran's Resistance

The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Prisons, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated that Gibran has no other legal recourse to confirm the validity of his high school equivalency certificate following the court's decision.

According to Yusril, the Constitutional Court's ruling is final and binding.

Moreover, the Supreme Court's decision has also become final due to the absence of parties seeking a judicial review.

"This matter cannot be pursued further because the Constitutional Court's ruling is final and binding; there are no legal avenues left. The Supreme Court's ruling is also final since no one can file for a judicial review on that decision," Yusril said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (10/11/2026).

A similar view was expressed by Sarifuddin Sudding, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives from the National Mandate Party (PAN).

He believes that the Supreme Court's cassation ruling No. 742 K/TUN/2026 is the highest decision in this case and has become final and binding.

"This has gone through a final decision from the Supreme Court. I think it’s the highest institutional decision, and it is indeed conclusive," Sudding told Kompas.com.

Sudding also argued that Gibran should not wait for another legal process to decide on his diploma controversy.

He remarked that the matter has already gone through a lengthy process.

Judicial Review Needs a Process

Constitutional law expert from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Herlambang Wiratraman explained that the rulings from both the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court limit the legal avenues available to Gibran.

He stated that seeking a judicial review of the Supreme Court's ruling is not a mechanism that can be initiated casually.