Indonesia Vice-President Gibran Resigns After Court Rulings Over Education Credentials

Indonesia's Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday (November 12) after months of questions over his educational qualifications and eligibility for office. President Prabowo Subianto accepted his resignation, bringing an end to Gibran's tenure before the completion of his 2024-2029 term.

The 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo submitted his resignation letter to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country's highest legislative body, in Jakarta. He had also handed the letter to Prabowo a day earlier. MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani confirmed that the letter did not mention any specific reason for his decision. Gibran said he was stepping down in the interest of the country and its government.

Speaking after a meeting at the presidential palace, Prabowo praised Gibran's work and said he accepted the decision with a heavy heart. He also highlighted his deputy's visits to 35 provinces and 149 cities and districts, during which he inspected 303 government projects.

The resignation follows two court rulings over Gibran's overseas education. On October 7, the Constitutional Court dismissed a challenge to his eligibility but said there was not enough evidence to establish that his foreign schooling met the required standard. On October 30, the Supreme Court annulled the certificate that recognised his overseas education as equivalent to an Indonesian high school qualification.

Indonesian election law requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to have completed senior high school or an equivalent course. Gibran studied in Singapore and Australia before earning a bachelor's degree through the Management Development Institute of Singapore.

The issue also revived criticism of a controversial 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that allowed Gibran, then below the age of 40, to contest the 2024 election.

Pressure on him increased after 120 lawmakers from eight political parties backed a parliamentary move that could have led to impeachment proceedings.

Gibran's resignation does not trigger a fresh election. The MPR must approve his departure and choose a replacement from two candidates nominated by Prabowo within 60 days. Its leadership has scheduled a joint meeting for November 13 to begin the process. Gibran is the first Indonesian vice-president to resign before completing his term since the country's democratic reforms began in 1998.