ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The impeachment discourse targeting Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has grown increasingly intense in recent weeks, drawing national attention.
The controversy escalated after the Forum of Retired Military Officers questioned the legitimacy of Gibran’s nomination in the 2024 presidential election.
However, constitutional experts emphasize that impeachment cannot be driven by political dissatisfaction alone. Any attempt to remove the Vice President must be grounded in legal and constitutional procedures, as outlined in Article 7A of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution.
According to Article 7A of the Constitution, a President or Vice President can only be impeached if proven to have committed: Treason against the state, Acts of corruption or bribery, Other serious criminal offenses, Moral misconduct and Failure to meet the constitutional qualifications for office.
This constitutional framework makes it clear that impeachment cannot proceed arbitrarily, and must be supported by solid legal evidence and due process.
“When we refer to the impeachment clauses in Article 7A, we don’t currently see any concrete legal grounds for removing Gibran,” said Dr. Yance Arizona, a constitutional law expert at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Alleged Manipulation During Nomination Under Scrutiny
While no proven violation has been established, Dr. Yance acknowledged that if there were manipulations in the nomination process, particularly involving the Constitutional Court (MK) or the General Elections Commission (KPU), these could be grounds for impeachment—if proven in court.
“If Gibran or his father, former President Jokowi, were involved in manipulating proceedings at the Constitutional Court or KPU, that could be seen as a violation undermining Gibran’s eligibility,” Yance explained.
Another contentious issue fueling the impeachment narrative is Gibran’s age at the time of his inauguration. The Indonesian Constitution mandates that presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be at least 40 years old. Gibran assumed office while still under that age threshold.
“If it’s proven that this age requirement was systematically and deliberately bypassed, that could represent a serious constitutional violation,” Yance added.
Legal Pathways for Impeachment
According to Yance, any legitimate impeachment effort against Vice President Gibran must begin through constitutional channels. There are two possible legal pathways:
1. Initiating a Parliamentary Inquiry through the House of Representatives (DPR)
2. Filing a lawsuit with the State Administrative Court (PTUN), challenging the legality of Gibran’s nomination
These legal avenues allow for formal investigations and evidence gathering, unlike public opinion campaigns driven by political sentiment.
“Even if violations are found, impeachment must be legally substantiated. It cannot be based solely on political pressure,” Yance emphasized.
The growing calls for Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s impeachment reflect deepening political polarization. However, without clear legal violations proven in accordance with the Constitution, the impeachment process risks becoming a politically motivated maneuver that undermines democratic institutions. (AT Network)
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