Indonesia Vice President Offers Resignation Amid Academic Eligibility Dispute
Gibran Rakabuming Raka proposed stepping down after a Supreme Court ruling questioned his credentials, but President Prabowo Subianto advised him to continue legal challenges.
By Amir Navarro ·
Indonesia Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka proposed resigning from his post on Tuesday, a move that intensifies instability in the country's executive branch. Raka, the 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo, spent more than two hours in discussions with President Prabowo Subianto at the presidential palace.
State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi confirmed the meeting and reported that the vice president offered his resignation during their talks. However, Hadi stated that it remained unclear whether Prabowo accepted the offer. The president advised Raka to keep pursuing legal avenues to defend the validity of his academic documents.
The pressure on Raka stems from a dispute over his educational qualifications. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the documents he submitted regarding his overseas education did not satisfy election requirements. This decision has fueled calls from some lawmakers for his impeachment and has widened the political gap between Prabowo and Widodo.
The timing of the resignation offer coincides with other scandals but is distinct from an ongoing investigation into wiretapping allegations. That probe involves top police officials, including President Prabowo's chief of staff, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and three other generals. Listyo previously served as national police chief under Widodo, who is not implicated in the wiretap case.
Widodo, who backed Prabowo's presidential campaign after selecting Raka as his running mate, faces separate allegations that he used a fake university diploma. Widodo denies these claims. The relationship between the two leaders has fractured as the political crisis deepens.
As Raka departed his office later on Tuesday, he addressed reporters briefly. He did not mention the resignation offer directly. "I respect all criticism and feedback from the public regarding the developments that are taking place," Raka said. "I do not want the current situation to become a prolonged political controversy."
No formal announcement regarding the status of the vice presidency has been released as of Tuesday. The next step depends on whether Prabowo formally accepts the offer or if Raka continues to litigate the academic eligibility issue in the courts.
