Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Wednesday, triggering sudden political turmoil in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
The 39-year-old official stepped down after weeks of intense scrutiny over his academic credentials. His resignation threatens to fracture the ruling political alliance between President Prabowo Subianto and former leader Joko Widodo.
Aide Budi Arie Setiadi confirmed that Gibran tendered his resignation directly to Prabowo.
The departure arrives as Prabowo’s administration faces growing public pressure over economic policies and flagship initiatives like free school meals. Global index provider MSCI has also maintained downgrade risks for the local stock market as analysts scrutinize government fiscal plans.
Gibran’s exit follows rulings from the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court. Lawmakers questioned whether his education documents met mandatory electoral thresholds for national office.
The Supreme Court instructed the education ministry to withdraw and annul Gibran’s education equivalence certificate. Judges concluded that the documentation failed to prove he completed studies equivalent to senior high school abroad.
Approximately 120 parliamentarians submitted a formal petition demanding Gibran’s immediate impeachment.
“No longer meets the requirements as vice president as stipulated in Indonesia’s constitution,” said Mardani Ali Sera, one of the lawmakers who signed the petition.
The political fallout exposes deep fractures within the political alliance that brought Prabowo and Gibran to power. Gibran is the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
Sana Jaffrey, a researcher at the Australian National University, said the crisis showed how the political fortunes of a small number of elites took precedence over the country’s need for effective and stable governance.
“Prolonged uncertainty at the highest levels of power will only deepen anxieties at home and abroad about where the country is headed,” Jaffrey told Kuwait Times.
The parliamentary upper house must now convene a formal session to declare a leadership vacancy. Senior law minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra outlined the legal steps required following the submission of the resignation letter.
Lawmakers will formally request that President Prabowo submit two candidate names for the vice-presidential replacement. The upper house must then hold a confirmation vote within 60 days.
Parliamentary officials will receive the official resignation letter on Thursday morning, initiating the constitutional replacement procedure.
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