Indonesia’s vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned Thursday after court rulings disputed the education documents he submitted and raised eligibility concerns.
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Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday as questions continued to grow over his eligibility for the vice-presidency following recent court rulings challenging his academic credentials.
The 39-year-old, who is the son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, at the parliament building in Jakarta.
Raka did not comment after leaving the meeting.
In a response to reporters in Solo, Widodo said there are “political dynamics in public office,” adding that he had reminded his son that political positions are temporary.
Widodo also said they will continue to support President Prabowo’s government, “especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public.”
Under Indonesia’s Constitution, a vice-presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. Instead, the People’s Consultative Assembly remains responsible for electing a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.
Parliamentary leaders said they would convene immediately to begin the process to select a replacement. Speaker Ahmad Muzani said the assembly asked for public support so the democratic process “can proceed smoothly and serve as a constructive new precedent in our constitutional system.”
Raka had offered to resign Tuesday after meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy. A cabinet minister said the president urged Raka at the time to defend himself, and it was not clear whether Raka accepted that resignation offer.
The court challenges centred on documents Raka submitted regarding overseas education. The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents did not meet election requirements.
A petition submitted Wednesday by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties began a parliamentary process that could lead to impeachment.
Critics have also pointed to broader concerns tied to allegations about how Gibran’s candidacy was enabled, including a Constitutional Court ruling they say involved a conflict of interest and reflected weak political accountability and dynastic privilege.
Before Prabowo chose him as his running mate for the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the age requirement of 40 for vice-presidential candidates. The court’s October 2023 ruling created an exception allowing those who served or had been elected as regional leaders to run at a younger age.
Under Indonesian election law, candidates for president or vice president must have completed senior high school, or an equivalent level of education. Because Gibran completed secondary education overseas, he was required to provide documents showing his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school diploma.
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