Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the Vice President of Indonesia, has submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto. An aide confirmed to the BBC that the letter was delivered directly to the President on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Prabowo will accept the resignation, a decision that could significantly impact the political coalition that brought him to power.
The move follows a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which declared a high school document used in Gibran's 2024 election campaign invalid. This legal decision triggered a response from over 100 lawmakers who backed a parliamentary initiative that could have led to impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Gibran has faced prolonged scrutiny regarding his educational qualifications. Having studied in Singapore and Australia, he relied on an Indonesian equivalence certificate to meet the legal requirement for senior secondary education. The Supreme Court stated that no evidence was found to prove he had graduated from a senior high school or held a foreign diploma that served as a basis for such equivalency. The court also noted a similar conclusion reached by the Constitutional Court in October.
Prior to the Supreme Court's final decision, Gibran argued that his university education was sufficient proof of his high school completion. On Tuesday, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi announced that Gibran had requested an opportunity to challenge the ruling and demonstrate the legitimacy of his credentials.
The resignation occurs at a time of increasing tension between President Prabowo and his former ally and father-in-law, outgoing President Joko Widodo. Gibran joined Prabowo's 2024 ticket as part of an alliance between the two leaders, despite being only 36 years old. His eligibility was secured after a controversial Constitutional Court ruling exempted him from the standard minimum age requirement of 40.
Since taking office, President Prabowo has shifted focus away from Jokowi's legacy project, the construction of the new capital city, Nusantara. Instead, he has prioritized his own flagship initiative, a nationwide free school meals program. This shift in priorities has been accompanied by personnel changes, with several Jokowi loyalists, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, being moved to new roles.
The political atmosphere was further strained last week when authorities arrested Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the presidential chief of staff, on suspicions of wiretapping the President. Prabowo dismissed Listyo the following day. As a former national police chief and long-time ally of Jokowi, Listyo's sacking was widely interpreted as a sign that the governing alliance was weakening.
Signs of shifting allegiances within the government have become more apparent. On Monday, three cabinet members resigned from the party led by Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of Jokowi. They cited a desire to focus on their duties in Prabowo's administration as the reason for their departure.
These developments are unfolding during a turbulent period for the administration. The free school meals program is facing funding challenges, while parts of the country have recently suffered from the worst wildfires in a decade. Additionally, the national stock market is under pressure amid allegations of widespread manipulation.
Public discontent has also been visible. On Tuesday, students across Indonesia staged demonstrations to protest the government's handling of various issues, including the environmental crisis and corruption. The convergence of these factors suggests a complex and unstable political landscape for the current leadership.
