Vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka stepped down on Wednesday evening after the constitutional court ruled there was "no convincing evidence" he possessed a high school diploma. The 39-year-old official had faced months of scrutiny regarding his educational credentials, which Indonesian law stipulates as a prerequisite for running for office. Although the court could not annul the results of the 2024 election that saw him elected, the ruling galvanized parliament to intensify efforts to impeach him. Gibran met president Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday and offered to resign, formally stepping down by the following evening according to a senior aide. This move ends a period where the millennial leader struggled to capture public support like his father, former president Joko Widodo.
The Political Fracture
The resignation signals a deepening rift between Prabowo and Jokowi, whose alliance has always been tenuous. In 2019, Jokowi guided Gibran onto Prabowo’s presidential ticket, leveraging the former president’s popularity to secure victory in 2024. Analysts noted this partnership was likely to break down, predicting Gibran would eventually be sidelined. Last week, allegations emerged that Listyo Sigit Prabowo, a longtime Jokowi ally serving as chief of staff, wiretapped the president’s phone. Indonesian police reported on Thursday they are investigating treason charges against four suspects, including Listyo, who has not commented publicly on the claims. The People’s Consultative Assembly will choose a new vice-president from two names Prabowo nominates within 60 days of the vacancy.
Kennedy Muslim, a political analyst, stated, "I wouldn’t read this as a one-off resignation." He warned that concentrating power around Prabowo and his Gerindra party creates a single address for discontent. President Prabowo’s popularity plummeted to 44.5% this October, down from 81.2% in November last year. Facing street protests and economic turbulence, Prabowo must navigate dissatisfaction with policies such as his free meals program. If his approval ratings continue falling, coalition partners may start hedging for the 2029 election behind his back. The situation remains volatile as the administration consolidates control while managing declining public trust.
