JAKARTA — Indonesia's vice president, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, resigned on Thursday amid a growing controversy over his eligibility for office. The 39-year-old son of former president Joko Widodo submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People's Consultative Assembly at the parliament building in Jakarta. The move follows rulings last month from the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court that the documents he submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements. A petition from 120 lawmakers had begun a parliamentary process that could have led to his impeachment.
President Prabowo Subianto accepted the resignation "with a heavy heart" in a televised statement flanked by Raka and top parliamentary leaders. "He chose to resign for the greater interest of the nation, the state and the Indonesian people," Prabowo said. He praised Raka for showing "courage, responsibility and statesmanship" and highlighted his work visiting 35 provinces and 149 regencies and cities to inspect 303 government projects over the past two years. Raka had first offered to resign on Tuesday during a meeting with Prabowo, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy.
What were the legal grounds for the resignation?
Under Indonesian election law, a presidential or vice presidential candidate must have completed senior high school or an equivalent level of education. Because Raka completed his secondary education overseas, he was required to provide documents showing his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school diploma. The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents he submitted did not meet these requirements. This academic credentials investigation was not related to separate probes into allegations that top police officials were involved in wiretapping targeting the president.
The legal challenges to Raka's eligibility were not his first. Before Prabowo chose him as a running mate for the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the age requirement of 40 for vice presidential candidates. However, a contentious Constitutional Court ruling in October 2023 carved an exception allowing those who had served as regional leaders to run at a younger age. Critics saw that ruling as a conflict of interest and evidence of dynastic privilege, which also fuelled the push for his impeachment.
What happens now that the vice presidency is vacant?
Under the Indonesian Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. The office will remain vacant until the People's Consultative Assembly elects a replacement. The assembly must convene within 60 days to choose a successor from two candidates nominated by the president. Parliamentary leaders said they would convene immediately to begin the process of selecting a replacement. Speaker Ahmad Muzani told reporters, "We ask for the prayers and support of all Indonesians so that this democratic process can proceed smoothly and serve as a constructive new precedent in our constitutional system."
How did Raka's family and supporters react?
Raka's father, former president Joko Widodo, commented from his hometown in Solo. "There will always be political dynamics in public office, that's normal," Widodo told reporters, adding that he had reminded his son that political positions are temporary. He said, "We will continue to support President Prabowo's government, especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public." After submitting his resignation, Raka was greeted by supporters as he arrived at the Vice Presidential Palace. President Prabowo concluded his statement by saying, "I will continue to support him, and I pray that he and his family are given strength during what is undoubtedly a difficult time."
What is the historical significance of this resignation?
Raka is the first Indonesian vice president to resign before the end of a term since the fall of dictator Suharto and the start of the country's democratic reforms in 1998. He was sworn in as vice president on Oct. 20, 2024, for a scheduled five-year term. His resignation pre empted a potential impeachment process that was initiated by a petition submitted Wednesday to the House leadership by lawmakers from eight political parties. That petition would have required House leaders to establish a special committee to examine whether Raka violated the constitution by serving despite allegedly failing to meet election requirements.