Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Resigns Over Disputed High School Certificate

Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Resigns Over Disputed High School Certificate

Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has formally submitted his resignation following controversy over his educational qualifications after the country’s Supreme Court ruled that a high school equivalency certificate he presented during the 2024 election was invalid.

Gibran, 39, submitted his resignation letter to the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after previously expressing his intention to step down during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday.

MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani confirmed the development, saying the vice-president had personally delivered his resignation letter to the assembly in Jakarta.

The resignation followed mounting political pressure after Indonesia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court issued separate rulings questioning whether Gibran’s overseas educational qualifications met the requirements for contesting the 2024 presidential election.

On October 30, the Supreme Court invalidated the high school equivalency certificate Gibran submitted to support his vice-presidential candidacy. Earlier, on October 6, the Constitutional Court found insufficient evidence that his overseas education satisfied the country’s secondary school qualification requirements.

The controversy intensified after more than 120 lawmakers from eight political factions backed a parliamentary initiative seeking to challenge his eligibility to remain in office, potentially paving the way for impeachment proceedings.

Gibran is the eldest son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who served from 2014 to 2024. He became vice-president after running alongside Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election.

His resignation also comes amid growing political tensions between Prabowo and his predecessor, whose support played a significant role in their electoral victory.

Under Indonesia’s Constitution, the People’s Consultative Assembly is expected to process the resignation and elect a replacement within 60 days. The president is required to nominate two candidates for the vacant position.

If completed, Gibran’s departure would mark the first resignation of an Indonesian vice-president before the end of a term since the country’s democratic reforms began in 1998.