Indonesia’s Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has resigned from office as questions grew over his eligibility following recent court rulings that disputed his educational credentials.
Raka, 39, the son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation on Thursday to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, at the parliament building in Jakarta, according to AP News.
He did not comment as he left the meeting.
His father, Widodo, told reporters in his hometown of Solo that “there will always be political dynamics in public office,” adding that he had reminded his son that political positions are temporary.
“We will continue to support President Prabowo’s government, especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public,” Widodo said.
The investigation into the academic credentials was apparently not related to probes into allegations that top police officials were involved in wiretapping targeting the president.
Under Indonesia’s Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. The office remains vacant until the People’s Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.
Raka had offered to resign on Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy. However, a cabinet minister said the president urged him at the time to defend himself, and it was unclear whether the offer was accepted.
The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents Raka submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements.
A petition submitted on Wednesday to the House leadership by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties subsequently began a parliamentary process that could have led to his impeachment.
The push for impeachment was driven largely by long-running allegations that his candidacy was enabled by a Constitutional Court ruling that critics see as a conflict of interest and evidence of weak political accountability and dynastic privilege.
Before Prabowo picked him as his running mate for the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the minimum age requirement of 40 for vice presidential candidates. However, the court’s controversial ruling in October 2023 carved out an exception allowing those who had served or been elected as regional leaders to run at a younger age.
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 that his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school diploma.
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.
Parliamentary leaders will convene immediately to begin the process of selecting a replacement, Speaker Ahmad Muzani said.
“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,” Muzani said.