Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has resigned from office amid growing political tensions within the country’s ruling alliance, following a controversy over the validity of his educational qualifications.
Gibran submitted his resignation to parliament on Thursday, triggering a constitutional process to fill the vacant position as President Prabowo Subianto’s administration faces mounting political and economic challenges.
Prabowo confirmed that he had accepted the resignation, describing the decision as one he received with “a heavy heart”.
“He has demonstrated a chivalrous attitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and the qualities of a statesman,” the president said, adding that Gibran’s decision was taken in the interest of the Indonesian nation.
Under the country’s legislative procedure, lawmakers have 60 days to fill the vacant position, choosing from two candidates nominated by the president.
Education Controversy Triggers Resignation
Gibran’s departure follows months of controversy over his educational qualifications, particularly whether he met the legal requirements to contest the 2024 vice-presidential election.
Indonesian law requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to have completed senior secondary education or an equivalent qualification.
Gibran, who studied in Singapore and Australia, relied on an Indonesian equivalence certificate to establish that his overseas education satisfied the requirement.
However, Indonesia’s Supreme Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish that he possessed a foreign diploma or certificate that could be recognised as equivalent to an Indonesian senior secondary school qualification.
The court stated that it found no evidence proving that Gibran had obtained the necessary foreign educational credentials.
The ruling reinforced an earlier Constitutional Court decision in October, which also questioned the validity of his qualifications.
The controversy subsequently intensified, with more than 100 lawmakers reportedly supporting a parliamentary initiative that could have paved the way for impeachment proceedings against the vice-president.
Gibran had previously maintained that his university education demonstrated that he had completed the equivalent of senior secondary schooling.
On Tuesday, he reportedly requested an opportunity to challenge the ruling and establish the legitimacy of his academic credentials, according to State Secretariat official Prasetyo Hadi.
