Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigns as Indonesia vice president

Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned as Indonesia's vice president on Thursday after a scandal over his high school diploma and a Supreme Court ruling annulling his qualification.

Gibran, 39, submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto and to parliament. Prabowo told reporters he had accepted it “with a heavy heart” and praised Gibran for acting in the interests of Indonesia.

In a video statement late Thursday, Gibran said the decision was not easy but was taken in the “greater interest”. He said it was his personal decision and “has nothing to do with diplomas”, adding that his educational documents were complete and had been submitted to the court.

The resignation followed repeated calls for Gibran to step down after the Supreme Court last month invalidated his high school qualification, a prerequisite for the vice presidency. When he ran in 2024, Gibran filed a certificate stating that his overseas education was equivalent to a vocational high school in Indonesia. He studied for a marketing degree in Singapore after completing his schooling there.

Prabowo now has 14 days to submit two names, from which parliament will have two months to choose Gibran's replacement.

Gibran is the eldest son of former president Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. His exit could complicate a loose governing alliance that includes Prabowo's party and Jokowi's political network.

Khairul Fahmi of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies said the resignation marked a significant political realignment but did not necessarily threaten government stability. Arya Fernandes of Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International Studies said Prabowo would likely seek a candidate acceptable to all coalition members.