Indonesia’s Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has resigned following growing questions over his eligibility for office after recent court rulings challenged his educational credentials.
The 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo submitted his resignation on Thursday to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, at the parliament building in the capital, Jakarta.
Raka made no comment as he left the meeting.
His father, former President Widodo, told reporters in his hometown of Solo that political controversies were normal for public office holders.
“There will always be political dynamics in public office, that’s normal,” Widodo said, adding that he had reminded his son that political positions were temporary.
“We will continue to support President Prabowo’s government, especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public,” he added.
The investigation into Raka’s academic credentials was apparently unrelated to separate investigations into allegations that senior police officials were involved in wiretapping targeting the president.
Under Indonesia’s Constitution, a vacancy in the vice presidency does not trigger a fresh election. The office remains vacant until the People’s Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.
Raka had offered to resign on Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to prevent a prolonged political controversy.
However, a Cabinet minister said the president had urged Raka to defend himself, leaving it unclear whether Prabowo had accepted the resignation offer at the time.
The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that documents Raka submitted to establish his overseas educational qualifications did not meet election requirements.
A subsequent petition, submitted to parliamentary leaders on Wednesday by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties, initiated a parliamentary process that could have led to his impeachment.
The impeachment campaign was largely driven by longstanding allegations that Raka’s candidacy was made possible by a controversial Constitutional Court ruling.
Critics have described the ruling as a conflict of interest and evidence of weak political accountability and dynastic privilege.
Before Prabowo selected him as his running mate for the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the minimum age requirement of 40 for vice-presidential candidates.
However, a controversial ruling by the Constitutional Court in October 2023 created an exception, allowing individuals who had served or been elected as regional leaders to contest elections at a younger age.
Under Indonesian election law, presidential and vice-presidential candidates must have completed senior high school or an equivalent level of education.
Because Raka completed his secondary education overseas, he was required to submit documents demonstrating that his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school diploma.
Raka is the first Indonesian vice president to resign before completing his tenure since the fall of dictator Suharto and the beginning of the country’s democratic reforms in 1998.
Parliamentary leaders are expected to convene immediately to begin the process of selecting a replacement, according to Speaker Ahmad Muzani.
“We ask for the prayers and support of all Indonesians so that this democratic process can proceed smoothly and serve as a constructive new precedent in our constitutional system,” Muzani told reporters.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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