Indonesia: Vice President Offers Resignation Amid Eligibility Crisis
Gibran Rakabuming Raka presented his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto following a Supreme Court ruling on his academic records.
By Alina Campbell ·
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka offered to resign from office on Tuesday after a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, according to State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi. The two leaders held talks lasting more than two hours at the presidential palace in Jakarta. Hadi told reporters that it remained unclear if the president accepted the offer. He noted that Subianto advised the vice president to continue using legal channels to defend the validity of his academic documents.
Raka, 39, is the son of former President Joko Widodo. As he left his office later in the day, the vice president spoke to reporters but did not directly address the resignation proposal. He said he respects all public criticism and feedback regarding the current developments. Raka added that he does not want the situation to turn into a prolonged political controversy.
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling last month. The court determined that the documents Raka submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet the requirements for the election. This decision increased pressure on the vice president and led some lawmakers to call for his impeachment. The dispute centers on his eligibility for the position rather than his performance in office.
The resignation offer is separate from an ongoing investigation into wiretapping allegations. That probe involves top police officials, including Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who serves as the president's chief of staff. Three other police generals are also implicated in the wiretapping case. Listyo previously served as national police chief under Widodo. The former president is not currently implicated in the wiretapping investigation.
The events highlight a widening political rift between Subianto and Widodo. The popular former president supported Subianto's presidential bid after he selected Raka as his running mate. Widodo also faces unrelated allegations that he used a fake university diploma. He has denied those claims. The current leadership turmoil adds a new layer of complexity to the relationship between the outgoing and incoming power structures in Indonesia.
The next step in the process depends on whether Subianto formally accepts the resignation. If accepted, the constitutional process for a new vice president would begin. If rejected, Raka would remain in office while continuing to pursue legal avenues to clarify his academic status. No further public announcements were made by either the vice president or the president after the initial news conference.
