Indonesian VP resigns over high school certificate scandal

Résumé détaillé

Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Raka has resigned amid a scandal over his high school diploma, which was annulled by the country’s Supreme Court. Read More:…

Indonesia’s vice president Gibran Raka resigned on Thursday in the midst of a scandal over his high school diploma, the head of parliament said, adding to pressure on a government facing widespread dissatisfaction over the economy, graft and wildfires.

Raka, 39, submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto and to parliament, the speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly told reporters.

There have been repeated calls for Raka’s resignation following a Supreme Court ruling last month to annul his high school qualification.

Speaker Ahmad Muzani said Raka met the leaders of parliament Thursday “to submit his letter of resignation from his position as vice president of the Republic of Indonesia.”

Indonesia’s VP does not have many constitutionally defined powers apart from acting as the president’s representative at official events and taking over if his boss is incapacitated.

Raka’s downfall comes as thousands have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest economic hardship, graft, perceived authoritarianism and the government’s handling of months of devastating wildfires emitting a toxic haze that has made thousands ill.

His exit is likely to complicate a loose governing alliance between Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo — Raka’s father, who goes by the moniker Jokowi.

The resignation “marks a significant political realignment, but does not necessarily threaten government stability,” according to the Executive Director, Institute for Security and Strategic Studies think tank, Khairul Fahmi.

“Jokowi will retain political influence, but Gibran’s departure could reduce his network’s direct access to power. For Prabowo, this creates greater room to consolidate his leadership and pursue his own political agenda,” Fahmi told AFP.

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