‘You Did A Good Job’: Prabowo Tells Outgoing Gibran

Detailed summary

Gibran is the eldest son of Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who beat Prabowo twice in the past elections. The latest developments in Indonesia’s political scene —…

Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto thanked his former veep Gibran Rakabuming Raka for his work at the government and during the election.

Gibran officially stepped down from his position on Thursday amid a school diploma scandal. In a statement broadcast live nationwide, Prabowo repeatedly praised Gibran’s “chivalrous attitude”.

“Gibran has helped me a lot, beginning from the campaign era to earn the people’s mandate and throughout the past two years of our administration. … The many real results we have delivered for our people are inseparable from his role and contributions,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo admitted to having personally ordered Gibran to go on tours across Indonesia’s remote areas to check on government programs.

According to Prabowo, splitting the jobs this way had enabled him to focus more on national policymaking and efficiencies.

“The global uncertainties and conflicts required my attention. The war in the Middle East has taken a toll on the global economy, including our own. … I felt helped. He did a good job,” Prabowo said.

With the seat now vacant, Indonesia has 60 days to find a replacement. Prabowo must nominate two names to be voted on by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

In recent weeks, Gibran has faced fresh calls to step down after the Supreme Court ruled a high school equivalency certificate invalid as part of the 2024 election. Last month, the Constitutional Court declared that they were unable to find evidence that Gibran had completed senior high.

Gibran is the eldest son of Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who beat Prabowo twice in the past elections. The latest developments in Indonesia’s political scene — coupled with a wire-tapping scandal that caught a Jokowi loyalist and former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo — have exposed a crack in their relations.

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