Jakarta, November 11, 2026 — Government Communication Agency (Bakom) head Syahganda Nainggolan said on Wednesday that President Prabowo Subianto had neither authorized nor recommended Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to pursue legal action over questions surrounding his eligibility for office.

His statement sought to clarify Gibran’s remarks on Tuesday, when the vice president said Prabowo had given him the go-ahead to continue legal proceedings to establish the validity of his qualifications for the position. Gibran also described Prabowo as a father figure.

In response, Syahganda referred to remarks by Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Yusril Ihza Mahendra following a meeting with the President. Yusril had said Gibran had no further legal avenues to pursue in challenging questions over his eligibility, Syahganda recalled.

Syahganda said Yusril’s remarks better reflected the President’s position, suggesting that Prabowo was unlikely to have recommended that Gibran continue his legal battle.

“The statement [from Gibran] gives the impression that Mr. Gibran is beloved by the President, as he described him as a father figure, before going on to say that he had been advised to continue pursuing the legal battle over his eligibility,” Syahganda said.

“But then, Mr. Yusril denied it, saying that Gibran did not have time and reasons to ‘fight’. So that is the truth,” he added.

Controversy surrounding Gibran intensified this week as lawmakers sought support for a motion of opinion that could pave the way for impeachment proceedings. The move followed an October ruling by the Constitutional Court (MK), which, according to the draft’s account, annulled the validity of Gibran’s education certificate after finding insufficient evidence that his overseas education met the minimum high school qualification required to run for office.

On Tuesday, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said Gibran had expressed his intention to resign during a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Prabowo. Gibran, meanwhile, said he would “fight” to establish the validity of his education certificates through proceedings at the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN), following what he described as Prabowo’s recommendation.

Syahganda reiterated Yusril’s position, arguing that the Constitutional Court ruling, which was subsequently reinforced by a Supreme Court ruling, was final and binding, leaving Gibran no further legal avenue to challenge his eligibility at the Jakarta State Administrative Court.

“In Gibran’s case, I think the President’s position was better reflected by Mr. Yusril,” he said.

Amid the ongoing developments, the government has stressed that cabinet cohesion and its focus on governance remain intact. It has said that legal matters should be resolved through the proper constitutional channels without distracting the government from implementing its national programs.