Politics1 min read

Indonesia's VP resigns as his eligibility and academic credentials are questioned

By · Via NPR · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Raka submitted his formal resignation to the People's Consultative Assembly after President Prabowo Subianto accepted his offer to step down following two years in office. The decision was accelerated when 120 lawmakers signed a petition initiating impeachment proceedings over the disputed paperwork. His tenure had already drawn scrutiny due to an earlier October 2023 court exception that bypassed standard age restrictions for his candidacy. The legislature must now convene to choose a successor directly from two nominees presented by the president.

Key points

  • President Prabowo Subianto will nominate two prospective candidates to fill the vacated v…: President Prabowo Subianto will nominate two prospective candidates to fill the vacated vice presidential office.
  • The People's Consultative Assembly holds the constitutional responsibility to elect the n…: The People's Consultative Assembly holds the constitutional responsibility to elect the next vice president within 60 days.
  • The resignation avoids a public election because the national constitution mandates a dir…: The resignation avoids a public election because the national constitution mandates a direct parliamentary vote for mid-term vacancies.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia's vice president resigned on Thursday as questions grew over his eligibility for the office after recent court rulings disputed his educational credentials.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People's Consultative Assembly, the country's highest legislative body, at the parliament building in the capital, Jakarta.

Raka didn't comment as he left the meeting.

"There will always be political dynamics in public office, that's normal," his father, Widodo, told reporters from his hometown in Solo, adding that he had reminded his son that political positions are temporary.

"We will continue to support President Prabowo's government, especially programs that serve the interests of the broader public," he said, referring to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

The academic credentials investigation was apparently not related to investigations into allegations that top police officials had been involved in wiretapping targeting the president.

Prabowo accepts Raka's resignation

Raka had offered to resign Tuesday during a meeting with Prabowo, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy. He personally delivered his…

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