A rally in Jakarta has called on Indonesia's government and parliament to act on Constitutional Court and Supreme Court rulings concerning the educational qualifications of Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The rally, organised by several civil society groups under the banner Aksi Rakyat Bela Indonesia, was held at the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque field in South Jakarta on Sunday, 8 November. Among those attending was Jimly Asshiddiqie, a former chief justice of the Constitutional Court, who urged political leaders to settle the long-running dispute.

"What has been decided by the MK and the MA should be used as a guide for decision-making, so that this endless dispute can be resolved," Jimly said, referring to the Constitutional Court (MK) and the Supreme Court (MA). He warned that leaving the dispute unresolved could disrupt government stability over the next three years and said party leaders in parliament should reach a decision promptly.

"Above all, it is the party leaders, the leaders of the eight parties, who now have the power to decide," he said. "Hopefully, a decision will be reached soon through deliberation. The point is that what is happening now must not be allowed to continue."

The dispute centres on whether Gibran's educational background met the requirements for the vice-presidency. A Supreme Court ruling declared invalid the certificate recognising his senior secondary education, and the Constitutional Court has also considered evidence about the documents submitted with his candidacy. Gibran was inaugurated as vice-president on 20 October 2024.

Tamsil Linrung, deputy speaker of the Regional Representative Council, told the rally that the president would be burdened by a deputy who no longer met the requirements, and he hoped the matter could be settled soon. "If possible, it should be settled next week, once the DPR recess has ended, because there is no need for a convoluted process," he said.

Bachtiar Nasir read out the rally's five demands: that the people unite to defend Indonesia; oppose traitors to the nation and state; oppose oligarchy and foreign control of state assets; uphold Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution fully and consistently; and uphold the law consistently. He also demanded that the court rulings on Gibran's educational qualifications be followed, saying the law must be upheld.

Kompas TV reported that the rally concluded on Sunday afternoon and highlighted the demand for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling on Gibran's diploma. The broadcaster noted that the rally took place amid an investigation into the alleged wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto, which has implicated figures in police and political circles.

The rally came as the main opposition party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, also pressed the issue. Its secretary-general, Hasto Kristiyanto, said on Sunday that Gibran had lost his legitimacy as a leader, citing the Constitutional Court's 2023 ruling on candidate age requirements, alleged abuses during the 2024 elections and questions over the diploma. Hasto said a political process was under way in the House of Representatives to follow up on the matter.

Said Didu, another speaker at the rally, called on President Prabowo to clean up the government, describing him as a courageous president. DPR member Kamrussamad said the rally was a good opportunity to safeguard national strength and urged that its demands be acted upon.

For now, the rally's organisers want a decision from parliament's leaders once the House returns from recess. Whether the eight party leaders act, and how, will determine whether a dispute that has shadowed Gibran's vice-presidency since the 2024 election finally reaches a conclusion.