Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has tendered his resignation, according to a close aide, potentially exacerbating political strife within the government. The decision comes following a Supreme Court ruling that discredited a high school document used during Gibran's election campaign for 2024. This development could lead to impeachment proceedings, given the support of over 100 lawmakers for a parliamentary initiative in this direction. The resignation letter was submitted directly to President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday; however, it remains unclear if he has accepted it. Gibran's educational qualifications have been under scrutiny due to questions about whether they meet the legal requirements for holding office. Having studied abroad, he presented an Indonesian equivalence certificate as proof of his educational background. However, the Supreme Court found no evidence that Gibran had graduated from senior high school or its equivalent, raising doubts about the validity of his credentials.
Gibran's resignation comes at a time when tensions between him and his predecessor, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), appear to be escalating. Their alliance played a significant role in Prabowo's ascent to the presidency. Gibran, who was 36 at the time, became eligible for candidacy following a controversial ruling by the Constitutional Court, which exempted him from the minimum age requirement of 40. However, their relationship has been strained recently due to differing policy priorities and personnel changes within the government. For instance, Prabowo has shown little interest in Jokowi's flagship project, Nusantara, while focusing resources on his own initiatives. Additionally, he has replaced several of Jokowi's loyalists in key roles, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
The political landscape in Indonesia is further complicated by other challenges. Last week, Presidential Chief of Staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo (no relation) was arrested on suspicion of wiretapping the president, and Prabowo subsequently dismissed him. This incident has been interpreted as a sign of a deteriorating alliance between the two leaders, given Listyo's long-standing association with Jokowi. Moreover, the government is grappling with financial issues for its free school meals program, wildfires, and allegations of market manipulation in the national stock market. In response to these issues, students across the country have staged protests this week.
It remains to be seen how Prabowo will respond to Gibran's resignation and whether this move will further destabilize the political alliance that brought him to power. The Supreme Court has given Gibran until March 24 to challenge the ruling on his educational credentials, adding another layer of uncertainty to Indonesia's political landscape.