Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigns amid court rulings

Resignation confirmed by political aide

Budi Arie Setiadi, who serves as Gibran's political aide and leads the pro-Jokowi group Projo, stated his resignation through a text message. He stated that Gibran handed the letter directly to President Prabowo at the airbase on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether the president has officially accepted the document yet. This exit follows court rulings regarding Gibran's academic qualifications during his 2024 election campaign.

Supreme Court invalidates school documents

The Supreme Court ruled that a high-school document used in Gibran's campaign was invalid because no evidence proved he graduated. Indonesian law requires vice-presidents to complete senior secondary school or its equivalent qualification. Gibran had argued that his university education served as sufficient proof for the required credentials. The court found no basis for an equivalence with a foreign diploma or certificate.

Alliance tensions rise sharply

Tensions have flared between outgoing President Joko Widodo and President Prabowo since the election alliance formed. Authorities arrested presidential chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo on wiretapping suspicions last week before sacking him a day later. Three cabinet members resigned from Kaesang Pangarep's party to focus on duties in Prabowo's administration. The free school meals programme currently struggles for funding while parts of Indonesia battle recent issues.