Parliamentary inquiry considered over Indonesian Vice-President Gibran's education credentials

Indonesian political parties are contemplating a parliamentary inquiry into Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's diploma credentials, as tensions grow between President Prabowo Subianto and former President Joko Widodo. The proposed inquiry stems from the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court rulings that Gibran's foreign high school credentials do not comply with domestic legal requirements for vice-presidential candidates, leading to their improper acceptance by election officials.

The arrest of Prabowo's former chief of staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, in a wiretapping scandal further fueled the controversy, with the government alleging it could amount to treason. Listyo, a former national police chief and Widodo loyalist, is currently in custody.

Seven out of eight parties in parliament have united behind Prabowo's coalition, providing him with a majority. Neither Jokowi nor Gibran have parties represented in parliament. Within Prabowo's coalition, three parties and one outside the coalition are currently reviewing three legislative courses of action: seeking an explanation from the government, launching an inquiry or investigation, or formally expressing their position on alleged legal or constitutional violations.

Each option can be a preliminary step towards impeachment proceedings, though none of the parties have suggested impeachment as a possibility.

Muhammad Kholid, a senior official of the Prosperous Justice Party, stated that the parties are currently examining these options and communicating with other political parties. Most parties have reached a consensus that the courts' rulings should be followed by the parliament. The National Awakening Party, also part of Prabowo's coalition, is seriously considering the three courses of action.

Golkar Party lawmaker Ahmad Doli Kurnia suggested that formally expressing their position would be the most appropriate response to the court's decisions. Golkar, the second-largest party in Prabowo's coalition, holds the second-largest number of seats in parliament. The vice president's office did not respond to inquiries about the matter.

The only party not affiliated with Prabowo's coalition, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, noted that public dissatisfaction over Gibran's diploma, as well as the wiretapping cases, has prompted lawmakers to seek action through their constitutional rights.