“Politics is always full of surprises. Politics never works with certainty,” Zainal Arifin Mochtar said after Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka tendered his resignation to the legislature on Thursday.
The 39-year-old leader submitted his resignation letter to the People’s Consultative Assembly in Jakarta, ending weeks of mounting pressure over his academic credentials and eligibility for office.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of former President Joko Widodo, resigned as questions grew over his eligibility. He had earlier tendered his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto. The country’s Supreme Court last month invalidated the education certificate Gibran used for his 2024 vice-presidential candidacy. Later that month, the Constitutional Court ruled it found no convincing evidence his overseas education met the minimum high-school qualification required to run for office.
Academic Credentials and Court Rulings
The controversy centered on high school documentation from Gibran’s 2024 election campaign. Under Indonesian election law, presidential and vice-presidential candidates must have completed senior high school or an equivalent level of education.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka was the running mate of Prabowo Subianto during the 2024 election. He attended Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore from 2002 to 2004, then continued his studies at UTS Insearch, a college affiliated with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Australia. He had used an Indonesian equivalence certificate to demonstrate his educational credentials, which was accepted by the General Elections Commission.
The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled in October 2026 that Gibran’s academic credentials did not meet these legal requirements. On Oct. 6, 2026, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court said it “did not find convincing evidence” that Gibran had a foreign certificate proving he had completed senior high school or an equivalent qualification. However, the court dismissed the petition seeking to remove him from office, finding that the petitioners lacked legal standing.
In a separate case, the Jakarta State Administrative Court rejected a lawsuit challenging Gibran’s high-school equivalency certificate on May 21, 2026. Its decision was upheld by the Jakarta State Administrative High Court on Aug. 12, 2026.
Opponents argued he relied on an invalid substitute certificate. On Nov. 10, 2026, several small groups of protesters rallied in front of the Parliament building in Central Jakarta demanding that lawmakers start the impeachment process. Banners hung outside the Parliament gates bore slogans referring to a former chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Prabowo Reacts to Gibran's Resignation
Gibran’s rise to the ticket in 2024 was forged through an alliance between his father, former president Joko Widodo, and Prabowo Subianto. His candidacy required a ruling from the Constitutional Court that allowed him to contest despite being below the minimum age of 40.
Standing alongside Gibran, Prabowo told reporters he had accepted his resignation with “a heavy heart.” “Gibran has demonstrated a chivalrous attitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and the qualities of a statesman,” Prabowo said, adding that the resignation was “for the benefit of the nation, the state, and the people of Indonesia”.
He praised Gibran’s work across Indonesian regions and his former deputy’s “chivalrous attitude.” Gibran bowed and hugged Prabowo after the speech and left the presidential palace in Jakarta without saying anything.
“He certainly believes that he completed his education through a proper and structured process. However, we must understand that educational systems abroad differ from those in Indonesia,” Prabowo said.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka was elected as Indonesia’s youngest vice president in 2024, in a precipitous rise. He was a symbol of the partnership between his father, the outgoing president, Joko Widodo, and the incoming leader, Prabowo Subianto, that elevated Mr. Prabowo into office.
“From the beginning, Gibran was brought on board solely to serve as a ‘vote-getter,’ rather than as an integral part of a unified leadership team intended to strengthen the performance of the Prabowo administration,” said Titi Anggraini, a lecturer of constitutional law at University of Indonesia.
Flanked by Raka and top leaders of parliament, a grim-looking Prabowo said that he accepted Raka’s resignation “with a heavy heart” and praised the vice president for showing “courage, responsibility and statesmanship” by stepping down.
“He has been a great help to me, from our election campaign through the past two years of government. Many of our achievements would not have been possible without his contribution.” Prabowo praised Raka’s dedication and hard work, highlighting Raka’s visits to 35 provinces and 149 regencies and cities to inspect 303 government projects during the past two years as examples of his commitment to public service.
Meanwhile, public sentiment reflected economic and political strain. Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting published data showing Prabowo’s approval rating fell to 44.5 percent in October 2026, dropping from 81.2 percent in November 2025.
Prabowo’s government is battling scandals over his signature political programmes and doubts about its ability to manage Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, where the political turmoil has sapped investor sentiment. In a series of personnel reshuffles over the past year, Prabowo has also shifted many Jokowi loyalists into new roles, including long-serving finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
His father, Widodo, voiced support for current leader Prabowo Subianto. “We will continue to support President Prabowo’s government, especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public,” a statement said.
Legislative Succession Process
Under the Indonesian Constitution, a vice-presidential vacancy does not trigger a national election. The office remains vacant until the People’s Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.
The People’s Consultative Assembly, or MPR, must then convene a session within 60 days to elect a new vice-president. The MD3 Law governs the People’s Consultative Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Regional Representatives Council and regional legislatures.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka told President Prabowo Subianto on Nov 10 that he intends to resign from his post amid mounting efforts to impeach him. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that Gibran has also asked for a chance to prove in court the validity of his education documents – that he had completed senior high school which is a prerequisite under election law.
This means Indonesians will not vote directly for their new vice-president.
Earlier coverage: Jokowi Calls for Respect After Supreme Court Invalidates Gibran's Diploma
