Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has resigned amid a growing controversy over his educational qualifications, bringing an unexpected political development to Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
The 39-year-old submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Thursday, November 12, 2026, following mounting political pressure and legal challenges over documents he presented to establish his eligibility for the vice-presidential position.
However, Gibran has maintained that his decision was personal and unrelated to the controversy surrounding his academic credentials, according to reports from his departure.
The resignation came after Indonesia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court issued rulings last month questioning whether the educational documents submitted by Gibran met the requirements for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Indonesian election law requires candidates to have completed senior secondary education or possess an equivalent qualification.
The controversy centres on Gibran’s overseas education and the validity of the documents used to demonstrate that his qualifications were equivalent to an Indonesian high school certificate. He attended school in Singapore and studied at UTS Insearch, now known as UTS College, in Australia before obtaining a bachelor’s degree through the Management Development Institute of Singapore.
The legal dispute intensified after the Supreme Court invalidated the high school equivalency document used in his 2024 election candidacy. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court found insufficient documentary evidence establishing that his overseas education met the required secondary-school qualification.
The resignation followed an escalating political confrontation. On Wednesday, 120 lawmakers representing all eight parliamentary factions signed a proposal initiating a process that could have led to Gibran’s impeachment. The move increased pressure on the vice president as opposition groups questioned the legitimacy of his appointment.
President Prabowo Subianto accepted the resignation with regret and praised Gibran’s contribution to the government. Speaking alongside his former deputy at the Presidential Palace, Prabowo said he had been assisted by Gibran and appreciated his work across different regions of Indonesia.
Gibran’s father, former president Joko Widodo, also expressed support for Prabowo’s administration following his son’s departure. Widodo said political positions were temporary and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting government programmes serving the public.
Under Indonesia’s constitutional framework, the resignation will not trigger an immediate presidential or general election. The People’s Consultative Assembly must formally process the vacancy and select a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president. The replacement process is expected to be completed within 60 days.
Gibran’s departure marks an unusual moment in Indonesian politics, as he becomes the first vice president to resign before completing his term since the country’s democratic reforms began in 1998.
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The development also raises questions about the political alliance between Prabowo and Widodo, whose support played an important role in securing their electoral victory in 2024. Gibran’s resignation could reshape the country’s political landscape as the administration faces growing public scrutiny over governance, economic challenges and political controversies.
