Indonesian VP Gibran Expresses Intention To Step Down - State Secretary

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, Nov 10 (NNN) -- Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has expressed his intention to step down to President Prabowo Subianto amid questions surrounding his educational credentials, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said.

Prasetyo said Gibran conveyed his intention during a meeting lasting about two and a half hours with the President earlier in the day.

“During the discussion, the Vice-President expressed his intention to step down in light of the ongoing developments,” he said during a press briefing streamed live on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.

Prasetyo clarified that Prabowo had not rejected Gibran's expressed intention, but had offered advice during their discussions.

He said Gibran had also requested an opportunity to establish the validity of his educational documents through legal proceedings before the State Administrative Court (PTUN).

According to state news agency Antara, Indonesia's Constitutional Court ruled on Oct 6 that a petition challenging Gibran's eligibility to hold office was inadmissible, while the Supreme Court subsequently declared his senior high school education equivalency certificate invalid on Oct 30.

The news agency also reported that the House of Representatives, which resumed sitting on Tuesday, had received input from political party factions on the possible use of its Right to Express Opinion concerning Gibran's educational credentials, with parliamentary leaders expected to review the matter under existing procedures.

Gibran, the eldest son of former president Joko Widodo, became Indonesia's youngest vice-president after winning the February 2024 presidential election alongside Prabowo. Both were sworn in on Oct 20, 2024.

--NNN