Former Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday following a political career that began when he accepted a vice presidential nomination in September 2023.
In a monologue video posted to his personal social media account after stepping down, Gibran shared his inner turmoil regarding leaving his mayoral post in Solo and parting ways with his former political home, detikNews reported.
“The hardest part was making the party that has guided and raised me disappointed, and facing the consequences of opposing it,” Gibran said, according to Kompas TV.
The resignation concludes a tenure that started with his inauguration alongside President Prabowo Subianto on October 20, 2024, during which he launched public reporting channels like Lapor Mas Wapres!, Kompas.id reported.
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) officials rejected Gibran’s retrospective reflections, declaring his emotional account expired.
“Expired! That means it’s past the expiring date, alias expired.”
PDI-P Spokesperson Guntur Romli acknowledged Gibran’s honesty regarding his inner conflict but emphasized that the relationship between the party and the Jokowi family ended when they were dismissed for violating party rules and the constitution during the 2024 elections.
“We are disappointed because principles were violated, the Constitution was manipulated, and the nomination path was opened through Constitutional Court Decision Number 90 of 2023,” Guntur said.
Populi Center Senior Researcher Usep Saepul Ahyar evaluated Gibran’s video statement as a deliberate strategy to polish his public image rather than a genuine expression of regret, Kompas.com reported.
“I read it more as an effort to curate an image at the end of his term, rather than remorse,” Usep said, according to Kompas.com, noting that Gibran framed himself as a reluctant figure who was drafted rather than ambitious.
Meanwhile, MPR Deputy Speaker Bambang Pacul offered a diplomatic response when asked about Gibran’s remarks, stating that personal feelings should not interfere with state duties as Parliament processes a replacement, Rmol.id reported.
“Every person has their own freedom. Customary, unusual, then proper, improper, that is ethical in nature. Well, please just judge it,” said Bambang Pacul, according to Rmol.id.
Gibran stepped down from the vice presidency on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after addressing his past political transition from Solo mayor to national office.
PDI-P dismissed his remarks as expired, noting that Gibran and his family were previously expelled from the party for constitutional and disciplinary breaches during the 2024 presidential election.
President Prabowo Subianto asked coalition parties to propose replacement candidates for the vice presidency within one week, Kompas.com reported.