Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has reportedly resigned from office amid controversy surrounding his high school diploma, adding to political pressure on President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
The 39-year-old’s resignation was disclosed on Thursday by the Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani, who said Gibran had submitted his resignation letter to the president and parliament.
According to Muzani, the Vice-President met with parliamentary leaders on Thursday to formally communicate his decision to step down from his position.
He added that Gibran informed them that he had also forwarded the same resignation letter to President Prabowo.
The development follows growing calls for Gibran’s resignation after reports that the Supreme Court last month annulled his high school qualification, triggering questions about his eligibility and political future.
His reported exit comes amid mounting public discontent over economic hardship, corruption, alleged authoritarianism and the government’s handling of wildfires that have caused widespread environmental pollution and health concerns.
Thousands of Indonesians have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest against the government’s policies and demand accountability over the country’s economic and environmental challenges.
The resignation is also expected to put further strain on the political alliance between Prabowo and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who is Gibran’s father.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, described it as a significant political realignment but said it would not necessarily destabilise the government.
“Jokowi will retain political influence, but Gibran’s departure could reduce his network’s direct access to power. For Prabowo, this creates greater room to consolidate his leadership and pursue his own political agenda,” he told AFP.
Meanwhile, Gists9ja reported on Wednesday that police detained more than 150 people following clashes between protesters and security forces in Yogyakarta, southeast of the capital.
The violence erupted after demonstrations in several Indonesian cities on Tuesday over economic difficulties, wildfires and stagnant wages.
Police said approximately 100 people gathered near the Yogyakarta parliament building around 8 pm, throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and firecrackers at the facility.
Security operatives subsequently deployed tactical vehicles to disperse the protesters, recovering six Molotov cocktails and 12 firecrackers during the operation.
Gibran’s reported resignation marks another major development in Indonesia’s political landscape, with attention now turning to its implications for the relationship between Prabowo and the influential former president, Jokowi.
