Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has submitted his resignation following growing controversy over his eligibility to hold office and questions surrounding his overseas educational qualifications.
The 39-year-old, who is the eldest son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, formally delivered his resignation letter to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the parliament building in Jakarta on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
His departure follows mounting political pressure after Indonesia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court issued rulings last month questioning whether the educational documents he submitted met the country’s legal requirements for vice-presidential candidates.
Under Indonesian election law, presidential and vice-presidential candidates must have completed senior high school or an equivalent level of education. Because Gibran completed part of his education overseas, he was required to provide documentation demonstrating that his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian senior high school certificate.
However, the courts found problems with the documents supporting his educational equivalency. The Supreme Court subsequently annulled his equivalency certificate, intensifying calls for him to leave office.
Gibran had reportedly expressed his intention to resign during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday. He said he did not want the controversy surrounding his qualifications to become a prolonged political dispute.
Although Prabowo initially encouraged him to defend himself, the resignation was subsequently submitted to the relevant parliamentary authorities. Gibran did not address journalists as he left the parliamentary meeting on Thursday.
The resignation came as pressure for his removal intensified. On Wednesday, approximately 120 lawmakers representing eight political parties submitted a petition seeking parliamentary action that could have led to impeachment proceedings against the vice-president.
The controversy surrounding Gibran’s eligibility also dates back to his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. At the time, he was below the constitutional minimum age of 40. However, a controversial Constitutional Court ruling in October 2023 created an exception for individuals who had previously served or been elected as regional leaders, allowing him to contest the election alongside Prabowo.
Critics questioned the circumstances surrounding that ruling, particularly because the court was then headed by Gibran’s uncle, raising concerns about political influence and family connections.
Under Indonesia’s constitutional arrangements, Gibran’s resignation will not automatically trigger a fresh national election. The People’s Consultative Assembly is expected to oversee the process of filling the vacant position, with the president required to nominate two candidates. Parliament must then elect a replacement within 60 days.
Gibran’s resignation marks a significant development in Indonesian politics. He is the first vice-president to leave office before completing his term since the country’s democratic reforms following the fall of former authoritarian leader Suharto in 1998.
Meanwhile, former President Widodo has indicated that he and his family will continue supporting Prabowo’s administration, despite the political controversy surrounding his son’s departure.
Swifteradio.com
