Jokowi Explains Gibran's Education Amidst Election Eligibility Debate

President Joko Widodo has elaborated on the educational background of his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who serves as the Vice President, amidst a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court challenging Gibran's eligibility for the 2024 Presidential Election. President Jokowi stated that Gibran attended elementary and junior high schools in Surakarta, followed by secondary education at Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore up to the O Level. He then pursued education through UTS Insearch in Australia before enrolling at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). "UTS Insearch is a pathway, just so you know. It took about three years, as I recall. Then he moved again and entered MDIS in Singapore," Jokowi said in Solo on Thursday (24/9). President Jokowi, while declining to directly comment on the lawsuit filed by Denny Indrayana and his group, explained Gibran's educational history. He mentioned that Gibran completed his primary education at SD Negeri 16 Surakarta and continued to SMP Negeri 1 Surakarta. Following this, Jokowi stated that Gibran pursued his secondary education at Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore, completing up to the O Level. Subsequently, Gibran continued his education through UTS Insearch in Australia. Jokowi described this as a pathway program before his son pursued higher education at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). President Jokowi indicated that the matter has entered the legal domain and that he will abide by the due process of law. "This has entered the legal realm, so we will follow the existing legal process," he stated. The eligibility of Gibran Rakabuming Raka as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election is currently being challenged at the Constitutional Court. The petitioners include the Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP), the Ummat Party, Denny Indrayana, six individuals from the Forum of TNI Veterans, M Subhan, Bonatua Silalahi, and Tiurma M S Sihombing. In their petition, the plaintiffs request the Court to declare that the educational requirements stipulated in Article 169 letter r of the Election Law are imperative and must be legally fulfilled at the time of registration and determination of presidential and vice presidential candidates. The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that Vice Presidential Candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka is disqualified for not meeting the educational requirements as per Article 169 letter r of the Election Law. Furthermore, the plaintiffs request the Court to declare the determination of Gibran as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 Election as legally flawed from the outset, thus having no binding legal force; to annul the KPU's decision concerning Gibran's determination as a vice presidential candidate. Finally, the plaintiffs also request the Court to order the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to convene a presidential election session for a vice president from the two candidates proposed by the president, no later than 60 days after the verdict is read. This development highlights the scrutiny faced by emerging young leaders in Indonesian politics and the importance of legal validation in electoral processes. The debate surrounding Gibran's candidacy underscores public interest in the transparency and fairness of the election system.