JAKARTA — Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka submitted his resignation to the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Thursday, November 12, marking a major development in the political controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.

MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani confirmed that Gibran had handed in his resignation letter and had also submitted a letter to President Prabowo Subianto, according to Reuters.

The submission followed days of speculation about Gibran’s political future and growing pressure from lawmakers seeking to examine whether his educational credentials met the requirements for holding the country’s second-highest office.

Muzani said parliamentary leaders would meet to consider the next steps. However, the submission of the letter does not mean that a successor has already been appointed or that the constitutional process has been completed.

Resignation Follows Dispute Over Education Documents

Gibran, 39, is the eldest son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi. He became vice president in October 2024 after winning the presidential election alongside Prabowo.

His eligibility for office has faced renewed scrutiny following rulings by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court concerning documents relating to his overseas education.

The controversy intensified on Wednesday, November 11, when 120 members of the House of Representatives (DPR), representing eight parliamentary factions, backed a proposal to exercise the legislature’s right to express an opinion.

The proposal could have initiated a constitutional process examining allegations concerning Gibran’s eligibility, although it did not itself remove him from office.

Gibran had previously expressed his intention to resign during a meeting with Prabowo on Tuesday, November 10.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the meeting lasted approximately two and a half hours and that Gibran had raised the possibility of stepping down amid the controversy.

On Wednesday, Projo chairman Budi Arie Setiadi also confirmed reports that Gibran had submitted his resignation to the president.

MPR to Consider Next Steps

The formal submission to the MPR on Thursday marked a significant change from the previous evening, when Muzani had said he had not yet received or seen a resignation letter.

According to Reuters, parliamentary leaders will now discuss the steps required following Gibran’s submission.

Under Article 8 of Indonesia’s Constitution, if the vice presidency becomes vacant, the MPR must elect a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.

The constitutional provisions governing a vice-presidential vacancy are separate from the impeachment process, which involves parliamentary proceedings and judicial review.

Gibran’s resignation comes at a politically sensitive time for the administration, amid scrutiny of the relationship between Prabowo and his predecessor, Jokowi.

The former president has maintained that he continues to support Prabowo’s administration.

Authorities have not announced a timetable for selecting a replacement, and no successor has been named.

The resignation letter has been submitted, but the remaining constitutional steps and the formal status of the vice-presidential office still require clarification from the relevant authorities.