Indonesian Vice-President Gibran steps down amid qualifications dispute

Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has stepped down from his post, according to an aide, following weeks of mounting pressure concerning his educational qualifications.

Aide Budi Arie Setiadi stated that Gibran submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday. Insiders within the nation's parliamentary upper house indicated that the formal resignation letter would be submitted to the chamber on Thursday morning, setting in motion the official process to confirm his departure and choose a successor.

The 39-year-old official, who is the son of former President Joko Widodo, faced heavy scrutiny after recent court decisions questioned the legitimacy of his academic background. In late October, Indonesia's Supreme Court invalidated an equivalency certificate regarding his overseas high school education. That verdict came shortly after the Constitutional Court determined there was inadequate documentation to prove his foreign studies fulfilled standard election criteria.

Pressure intensified significantly within the legislature this week. Lawmakers returning from a month-long recess began gathering support for an official inquiry. By Wednesday, 120 legislators across eight political factions had endorsed an initiative exercising the chamber's right to state an opinion, establishing a pathway toward potential impeachment proceedings.

Gibran held an extended meeting with President Prabowo on Tuesday morning to discuss his situation. Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi noted that Gibran had conveyed his intention to step down during that discussion. Although Gibran told reporters later that day that the president encouraged him to contest the judicial findings and seek a review of the Supreme Court decision, the mounting parliamentary opposition accelerated his exit.

The departure arrives amid reports of growing political friction between President Prabowo and former leader Widodo, whose backing had been crucial in securing victory for their joint ticket during the 2024 national election. Gibran's office had not publicly commented on the resignation at the time the announcement was made.