Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has resigned from his position, ending days of speculation about his political future. He handed his resignation to parliament's upper house on Thursday, citing personal reasons and growing public sentiment. The resignation comes after a push by lawmakers for his impeachment on grounds of inadequate educational credentials. Gibran, 39, was elected alongside President Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 election.
Gibran's resignation follows rulings by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court that his overseas high school qualifications fell short of legal requirements for vice presidential candidates. The courts found that his qualifications had been wrongly accepted by election authorities. This development had sparked controversy and raised questions about Gibran's eligibility for the vice presidency. The issue had been a subject of debate and had garnered significant public attention.
President Joko Widodo, Gibran's father, has expressed support for President Prabowo Subianto's administration despite his son's resignation. Widodo, also known as Jokowi, told reporters that he would continue to support Prabowo's programmes that serve the interests of the broader public. This expression of support could ease signs of strain in the political alliance between Prabowo and Widodo. Jokowi's backing is seen as significant, given his popularity and influence in Indonesian politics.
President Prabowo Subianto accepted Gibran's resignation with a "heavy heart" and praised his contributions to the government. Prabowo cited Gibran's work across Indonesian regions and his former deputy's "chivalrous attitude." Gibran bowed and hugged Prabowo after the speech and left the presidential palace in Jakarta without saying anything. The resignation has sparked speculation about the implications for Prabowo's government and the country's politics.
The rift between Prabowo and Jokowi had looked set to further destabilise the government, analysts said. Prabowo's government is battling scandals over his signature political programmes and doubts about its ability to manage Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The political turmoil has sapped investor sentiment, with the rupiah weakening as much as 0.6% to a fresh record low of 18,255 against the dollar.
Parliamentary leaders will now gather to discuss the next steps, said Ahmad Muzani, the speaker of the upper house. The upper house is expected to process Gibran's resignation and consider replacement candidates. President Prabowo is expected to submit two replacement candidates for the vice presidency. The process is likely to be closely watched, given the implications for the country's politics and governance.
Gibran's resignation marks a significant development in Indonesian politics, with implications for the government and the country's leadership. The issue highlights the challenges facing Prabowo's government and the need for stability and effective governance. The country's politics is likely to remain closely watched, given the significance of Indonesia in Southeast Asia and the global community.
Key points
- Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned as Indonesia's Vice President amid scrutiny over his high school qualifications and growing public sentiment.
