After Gibran wins, what's up with Almas?

Almas Tsaqqibirru was the person who opened the door for Gibran Rakabuming Raka to become a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Setelah Gibran Menang, Apa Kabar Almas?

KOMPAS

Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right) and Almas Tsaqibbirru

The General Election Commission is still continuing the process of national vote tallying, both for the presidential election and legislative election. Voting results data for the presidential and vice presidential election until 10.00 AM, Thursday (29/2/2024) showed that the collected data reached 77.8 percent or a total of 640,486 polling stations out of the total 823,236 polling stations throughout Indonesia.

From the vote data that has been received, the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair number 2, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, outperformed the other two candidate pairs with 75,369,397 votes or 58, 83 percent of the total votes came in.

In second place, there is the number 1 candidate pair, Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar, with a total of 31,373,972 votes or 24.49 percent. Following them are the number 3 candidate pair, Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD, with a total of 21,371,220 votes or 16.68 percent.

The existing number of votes is no different than that shown by the quick count results of several institutions. Prabowo-Gibran leads significantly over their competitors.

Also read: “Quick Count” Kompas Research and Development: One Round Presidential Election, Prabowo-Gibran Wins

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The presidential and vice presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka greeted their supporters ahead of their victory speech event at Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/2/2024).

The controversy surrounding Gibran's candidacy, which has already claimed the dismissal of his own uncle, Anwar Usman, from the position of Chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK) on November 7, 2023, does not affect the votes of the Prabowo-Gibran candidate pair.

Also read: Chairman of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman Subjected to Heavy Sanctions, Dismissed and Prohibited from Standing Trial

The ethical sanctions imposed by the General Election Commission's Honorary Council (DKPP) in the form of a final stern warning to the Chairman of the KPU, Hasyim Asy'ari, and a stern warning to other KPU commissioners, have had no effect.

Also read: After the DKPP Decision, More than 25 NGOs Ask KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari to Resign

As we know, Gibran smoothly claimed his candidacy as a presidential candidate after the Constitutional Court issued verdict 90/PUU-XXI/2023, allowing individuals under 40 years old but experienced or currently serving as regional heads to run for president. The Constitutional Court provided a new interpretation of Article 169 letter q of Law No. 7/2017 concerning Elections, which originally regulated the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice presidential candidates to be 40 years old.

Almas Tsaqibirru Re A, the first son of senior lawyer Boyamin Saiman, was the person who opened the door for Gibran to become a candidate in the 2024 presidential election contest. He was the person who submitted the request for judicial review of Article 179 letter q The Election Law was approved by the MK under the leadership of Anwar Usman at that time. Meanwhile, previously, dozens of other applications failed in the Constitutional Court, including those submitted by the Indonesian Solidarity Party, the Garuda Party, and a number of regional heads.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The atmosphere during the Constitutional Court (MK) trial verdict for formal testing against Decision No. 90/PUU-XXI/2023 was held in the MK courtroom, Jakarta, on Tuesday (16/1/2024).

The three requests are among the cases anticipated by a number of parties, both political parties and civil society groups. However, the Constitutional Court rejected it and stated that the age requirement is the authority of the lawmakers to determine.

Almas' request, which had escaped attention, was actually granted. Armed with legal standing as a resident of Solo, Central Java, who is also an admirer of Gibran, his application was passed, causing an uproar throughout the country.

So, how is Almas currently doing?

DOKUMENTASI KELUARGA

The atmosphere was joyful when Almas Tsaqibbirru wed Annisa Hesti Kurniawati at the Madaniyah Mosque in Karanganyar, Central Java.

On the last day of February, Almas tied the knot with Annisa Hesti Kurniawati in Madaniyah Mosque, Karanganyar, Central Java.

"Enough at the mosque," Boyamin said as he shared photos of Almas and Annisa.

Gibran was not present at the wedding. When asked whether his envoy was present considering that Almas had opened the door to Gibran's candidacy, Boyamin said, "Definitely not there."

He also did not expect the presence of Gibran or Joko Widodo's family. Apart from not sending invitations, the event was also held with the presence of only the immediate family. "Absolutely don't invite outsiders," he said.

SUSANA RITA KUMALASANTI

Almas lawyer's office in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan

So, what will Almas do after getting married?

According to information obtained from Boyamin, Almas will work at a newly opened law firm in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The office is called Boyamin Saiman Rea Ikaen Law Firm.

Currently, Almas has two cases in district court that are still related to court decision 90/2023. In the Surakarta District Court, he filed a lawsuit against Gibran for never expressing gratitude after he paved the way for the candidacy of President Jokowi's eldest son. He sued Gibran for breach of contract in that case. The case is registered under number 25/Pdt.G/2024/Pn Skt.

In addition, he filed a civil lawsuit against Denny Indrayana, a professor of constitutional law, in the Banjarbaru District Court, South Kalimantan. He questioned Denny's statement regarding indications of Almas' involvement in organized crime to facilitate Gibran's political goals.

Also read: Honorary General Rank Signs Jokowi Strengthens Relations with Prabowo

Until now, both cases are still ongoing. In fact, Denny Indrayana plans to file a counter-suit.