Indonesian President Prabowo Accepts Vice President Gibran’s Resignation, Bringing an End to Alliance Between Former and Current Presidents

【Hanoi, Vietnam, and Jakarta, Indonesia—Special Correspondent Kim Jun-seok and Correspondent Aulia Maulida Hamdani】Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has accepted a letter from Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka expressing his intention to resign. After formally announcing his resignation following controversy over his academic credentials, Gibran has set Indonesia’s political scene on course to begin the process of selecting a successor.
Controversy over Gibran’s overseas education and the recognition of his qualifications had become a major issue shaking Indonesian politics. Despite his studies in Singapore and Australia, he had faced persistent allegations that he had not properly graduated from high school in Australia and was therefore ineligible to run for vice president in the 2024 presidential election. Gibran’s camp countered the allegations by citing his accredited bachelor’s degree from the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), but the matter led to controversy in parliament.
According to local media on the 12th, Gibran met President Prabowo at the presidential palace at around 10:15 a.m. that day and handed him his resignation letter. He then went to the parliament building in Jakarta and personally submitted his resignation letter to the leadership of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). At a press conference at 3 p.m. that day, President Prabowo announced that he had formally accepted Gibran’s resignation.
President Prabowo said, “I accept the letter with a heavy heart, and respect and support the decision he has made.” He added, “Vice President Gibran has shown what a national leader with courage and a sense of responsibility looks like.” Prabowo acknowledged that overseas education systems differ from Indonesia’s, but explained, “The relevant legal determination found that constitutional eligibility requirements had not been met, and Vice President Gibran decided to resign in the greater interests of the nation and its people.” He added that he believed Gibran would succeed in his future political endeavors and would continue to support him.
President Prabowo also praised Vice President Gibran’s efforts and contributions to the government’s work over the past two years. During his time in office, Gibran visited 39 provinces and 149 cities and regencies in Indonesia, and inspected 303 government project sites. Prabowo expressed his gratitude and respect for these efforts and emphasized that he would continue to support Gibran’s future endeavors.
Gibran’s resignation is also expected to halt the impeachment-related opinion process (HMP) that was being pursued in parliament. Muhammad Khozin, a lawmaker from the National Awakening Party (PKB) who initiated the HMP, said the process would not go forward because the resignation had left the process with no legal target.
The process of selecting a successor vice president is also set to begin in earnest. People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chair Ahmad Muzani explained that the president must submit two candidates for the vice presidency within 14 days of receiving notification that the vice presidency is vacant. The MPR will then convene a plenary session within 60 days at most to elect a successor.
Former President Joko Widodo commented on the resignation of his son, Vice President Gibran, saying, “Political offices always come with political dynamics, and that is natural.” He said he would continue to support the Prabowo government.
Meanwhile, major international news outlets are analyzing the episode as a clear signal that the political alliance between incumbent President Prabowo and former President Joko Widodo has come to a complete end. The Financial Times (FT) previously reported that Gibran’s resignation marked the “final collapse” of the alliance of convenience between President Prabowo and his predecessor, former President Jokowi.
[email protected] Reporter Kim Jun-seok, Correspondent Aulia Maulida Hamdani Reporter