Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran resigns after court invalidates education certificate

Detailed summary

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Indonesia’s Vice President has resigned, ending days of speculation about his political ...

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Indonesia’s Vice President has resigned, ending days of speculation about his political future and adding to uncertainty around President Prabowo Subianto’s government as the country faces growing economic and political pressure.

Gibran, 39, submitted his resignation to parliament’s upper house on Thursday, November 12, and asked lawmakers to process his departure. His decision makes him Indonesia’s most high-profile political figure to resign since President Suharto stepped down in 1998.

The resignation also comes amid growing tensions between Prabowo and Gibran’s father, former President Joko Widodo, whose political alliance with the current leader has come under strain in recent months.

However, Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, moved to ease concerns over a possible split, declaring his continued support for Prabowo shortly after his son submitted the resignation.

“We will continue to support President Prabowo’s administration, especially programmes that serve the interests of the broader public,” Widodo told reporters outside his home in Solo, Central Java.

Gibran personally delivered his resignation letter to parliament in Jakarta, where he met with its leaders for about 20 minutes. Upper house speaker Ahmad Muzani said the vice president had asked lawmakers to begin processing his departure.

Reading from the letter, Muzani said Gibran had made the decision “through my own volition … for the interests of the government and nation”.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Senior law minister said the resignation was based on personal reasons and referred to growing public sentiment. The five-paragraph letter, however, did not provide a detailed explanation for his decision.

Gibran’s departure follows mounting calls for his impeachment over questions about his educational qualifications and eligibility to contest the 2024 vice presidential election.

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