Indonesia’s Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has resigned from office amid growing questions over his eligibility and academic credentials following recent court rulings disputing the educational documents he submitted for election.
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Raka, the 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Indonesia’s highest legislative body, at the parliament building in Jakarta on Thursday.
His resignation came after he had offered to step down during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday in an effort to avoid prolonged political controversy.
Raka subsequently delivered his resignation letter personally to the President on Wednesday before formally submitting it to the parliamentary leadership.
He made no comment to reporters while leaving the parliament building but later released a video statement denying that his resignation was connected to questions surrounding his educational background.
“This was not an easy decision, but it was the best choice,” Raka said.
“This is my personal decision and has nothing to do with my diploma. Once again, it has nothing to do with my diploma. All my educational documents are complete and have been submitted to the court.”
Raka also rejected suggestions that his resignation amounted to an admission that he was unable to perform his duties.
Instead, he described the decision as a major step intended to allow the government to move forward with greater focus and stability.
President Prabowo later addressed the nation after meeting with Raka and parliamentary leaders at the presidential palace.
Flanked by Raka and senior parliamentary officials, Prabowo said he accepted the resignation “with a heavy heart” and praised his former deputy for what he described as courage, responsibility and statesmanship.
“He chose to resign for the greater interest of the nation, the state and the Indonesian people,” Prabowo said.
“He has been a great help to me, from our election campaign through the past two years of government. Many of our achievements would not have been possible without his contribution.”
Prabowo also praised Raka’s dedication to public service, citing his visits to 35 provinces and 149 regencies and cities, where he inspected 303 government projects during the previous two years.
“I will continue to support him, and I pray that he and his family are given strength during what is undoubtedly a difficult time,” Prabowo said.
Raka’s father, former President Widodo, also reacted to the development, saying political positions were temporary.
“There will always be political dynamics in public office, that’s normal,” Widodo told reporters in his hometown of Solo.
He added: “We will continue to support President Prabowo’s government, especially programmes that serve the interests of the broader public.”
The resignation followed a series of disputes over Raka’s eligibility for office and his educational qualifications.
The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court had ruled the previous month that documents submitted by Raka concerning his overseas education did not meet election requirements.
A petition signed by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties was also submitted to the House leadership on Wednesday, beginning a parliamentary process that could have led to his impeachment.
The impeachment push was linked largely to longstanding allegations surrounding the Constitutional Court ruling that enabled Raka to contest the vice presidency despite being below the required age of 40 at the time.
Before Prabowo selected him as his running mate for the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the minimum age requirement.
However, a Constitutional Court ruling in October 2023 created an exception allowing candidates younger than 40 to contest if they had served or been elected as regional leaders.
Questions also arose over Raka’s secondary education.
Under Indonesian election law, presidential and vice-presidential candidates are required to have completed senior high school or an equivalent level of education.
Because Raka completed his secondary education overseas, he was required to submit documents showing that his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school diploma.
Raka maintained that all his educational documents were complete and had been submitted to the court.
His resignation makes him the first Indonesian vice president to leave office before the end of a term since the fall of Suharto and the beginning of the country’s democratic reforms in 1998.
Under the Indonesian Constitution, a vacancy in the office of vice president does not trigger a fresh election.
The office will remain vacant until the People’s Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.
Speaker Ahmad Muzani said parliamentary leaders would immediately begin the process of selecting Raka’s replacement.
“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 said.
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