Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has reportedly tendered his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto amid mounting controversy over his educational qualifications.
An aide, Budi Arie, confirmed that Gibran submitted his resignation letter to the president on Wednesday, although it remains unclear whether Prabowo has accepted it.
The reported move comes amid a storm over a Supreme Court ruling which found no evidence that Gibran completed senior secondary education or obtained an equivalent qualification, a requirement under Indonesian law for anyone seeking the vice-presidency.
Gibran, who pursued studies in Singapore and Australia, had relied on an Indonesian equivalence certificate to establish his educational credentials. However, the court reportedly ruled that there was insufficient evidence of a foreign diploma or certificate to validate the claimed qualification.
The decision triggered fresh demands for accountability, with more than 100 lawmakers reportedly backing a parliamentary initiative that could have opened the door to impeachment proceedings against the vice-president.
Gibran had defended his academic record, arguing that his university education demonstrated that he had completed secondary school. On Tuesday, he sought an opportunity to challenge the ruling and prove the validity of his qualifications.
The crisis has also heightened political tensions surrounding Gibran’s future, particularly against the backdrop of growing friction between President Prabowo and his father, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
Prabowo and Jokowi formed a political alliance ahead of the 2024 presidential election, paving the way for Prabowo’s emergence as president and Gibran’s selection as his running mate.
At 36, Gibran was below the constitutional minimum age of 40 for vice-presidential candidates. His eligibility was secured through a controversial court ruling that granted an exemption to candidates who had held or occupied certain elected regional offices.
The reported resignation comes at a difficult time for the Prabowo administration, which is facing criticism over funding challenges affecting its free school meals programme, environmental concerns, corruption allegations and growing public protests.
Whether President Prabowo accepts Gibran’s reported resignation could prove decisive in determining the next chapter of Indonesia’s unfolding political crisis.
