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Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has submitted his resignation, according to an aide who spoke to BBC News. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared a high-school document used during Gibran’s 2024 election campaign to be invalid, potentially destabilizing the political alliance that supported President Prabowo Subianto.
Legal Challenges to Credentials
The Supreme Court’s decision triggered a parliamentary effort supported by over 100 lawmakers, which could have led to impeachment proceedings against Gibran. The court determined there was no evidence to confirm that Gibran had graduated from senior high school or obtained a valid equivalent qualification. The ruling noted, “No evidence was found to show Gibran had a foreign diploma or certificate that could serve as the basis for equivalency with a senior high school or equivalent qualification.”
This decision aligned with a previous ruling from the Constitutional Court earlier in October. Gibran, who completed studies in Singapore and Australia, had previously contended that his university education served as sufficient proof of his secondary school completion. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated on Tuesday that Gibran had requested an opportunity to challenge the court’s findings and provide further proof of his educational legitimacy.
Political Tensions and Shifting Alliances
Budi Arie, an aide to the Vice President, confirmed that Gibran submitted his resignation letter directly to President Prabowo on Wednesday. It remains uncertain whether the President has formally accepted the resignation. Gibran’s candidacy in the 2024 election was facilitated by an alliance between Prabowo and outgoing president Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. Gibran, who was 36 at the time, was only eligible to run after a controversial Constitutional Court ruling exempted him from the standard minimum age requirement of 40.
The resignation occurs amid visible friction between the camps of Prabowo and Jokowi. Since assuming the presidency, Prabowo has deprioritized the construction of Nusantara, Jokowi’s signature new capital project, favoring his own national free school meals initiative. Furthermore, Prabowo has reshuffled several Jokowi loyalists from their positions, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Tensions reached a high point last week when presidential chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo was arrested on allegations of wiretapping the President. Prabowo dismissed Listyo the following day, a move viewed by many as a signal of a fracturing alliance, given Listyo’s history as a close ally of Jokowi. Additionally, three cabinet members recently resigned from the political party led by Kaesang Pangarep, Jokowi’s youngest son, stating they wished to focus exclusively on their government duties.
Broader Government Instability
The administration is currently navigating a period of significant volatility. The free school meals program is facing funding difficulties, while the country deals with the impact of severe wildfires. Simultaneously, the national stock market is grappling with allegations of widespread manipulation. On Tuesday, students held nationwide protests to voice their opposition to the government’s management of corruption and the ongoing environmental crisis.
