Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka Resigns Amid Credentials Dispute

Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday, submitting his letter of resignation to the leadership of the People's Consultative Assembly, the country's highest legislative body, at the parliament building in Jakarta. The 39-year-old, who is the son of former president Joko Widodo, did not speak to reporters as he left the meeting.

The resignation follows growing scrutiny of his eligibility for office after the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents he submitted concerning his overseas education did not satisfy election requirements. An investigation into his academic credentials was reportedly separate from a probe into allegations that senior police officials were involved in wiretapping targeting the president.

Raka had offered to step down on Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to prevent a drawn-out political controversy. A cabinet minister said the president encouraged him at the time to defend himself, and it was initially unclear whether the resignation offer had been accepted.

Speaking to reporters from his hometown of Solo, former president Widodo described political change as a normal feature of public life and said he had reminded his son that official positions are temporary. He added that his family would continue to back President Prabowo's government, particularly programmes aimed at serving the wider public.

Under Indonesia's constitution, a vacancy in the vice presidency does not trigger a fresh election. The post will remain empty until the People's Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.