News of Gibran Resigning as Vice President Draws Attention from Foreign Media

SURABAYA | JATIMSATUNEWS.COM: Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has officially resigned from office amid mounting controversy over the validity of his educational credentials and growing impeachment pressure in parliament.

The decision by the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has triggered fresh political uncertainty in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

News agency Reuters reported that the 39-year-old’s resignation was confirmed by three political sources on Wednesday (11/11/2026), including Gibran’s political aide, Budi Arie Setiadi, and two sources from the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

According to the report, Gibran first tendered his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto before submitting an official resignation letter to the MPR leadership on Thursday morning (12/11/2026) to be processed constitutionally.

Read also: Despite Intention to Resign, Gibran Continues to Accompany Prabowo at the Conferment of National Hero Titles in 2026

Gibran Resigning and Foreign Media Attention

Diploma Dispute and Impeachment Threat

American newspaper The New York Times highlighted that Gibran’s resignation followed intensifying calls for his impeachment.

The push was triggered by allegations that he failed to meet the administrative requirements to run for president and vice president—specifically, holding a diploma equivalent to a senior high school (SMA) certificate, despite having a documented bachelor’s degree.

Legal pressure against Gibran reached a boiling point over the past month following two rulings by Indonesia’s highest courts:

• Constitutional Court (MK) Ruling: Last month, the Constitutional Court stated that it found no convincing evidence that Gibran possessed an overseas diploma equivalent to an Indonesian high school graduation certificate, though the court noted it lacked the jurisdiction to remove him from office directly.

• Supreme Court (MA) Ruling: Two weeks later, the Supreme Court revoked the high school diploma equivalency letter issued by the relevant ministry in 2019 on the grounds of administrative non-compliance.

These rulings spurred action in parliament. According to Reuters, 120 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) across eight factions had signed a motion to exercise the Right to Express an Opinion (Hak Menyatakan Pendapat), a parliamentary mechanism that paves the way for impeachment proceedings.

Read also: 120 House Members Propose Exercising the Right to Express an Opinion Regarding Gibran; Constitutional Law Expert: Impeachment Must Follow Constitutional Procedures

Rift in the Prabowo-Jokowi Alliance

Both The New York Times and Reuters underscored that this political crisis is unfolding amid a widening rift between President Prabowo Subianto and former President Jokowi.

Previously, Jokowi’s backing was widely seen as instrumental in securing victory for the Prabowo-Gibran ticket in the 2024 General Election.

The New York Times noted that the fracture in their alliance became evident earlier this month when several officials considered close to Jokowi—including the presidential chief of staff—were arrested on charges of wiretapping President Prabowo.

Meanwhile, the two years of Prabowo’s administration have also been marked by declining public approval ratings due to populist economic policies and authoritarian tendencies that have rattled the national economy.

Responding to his son’s resignation, Jokowi struck a conciliatory tone when speaking to the media on Thursday (12/11/2026).

“I have told Gibran that any position held is only temporary; office is not eternal. We remain committed to supporting President Prabowo’s administration, especially for programs that benefit the wider public,” Jokowi said, as quoted by The New York Times.

Read also: Gibran Submits Resignation Letter to the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR); Indonesia Enters a New Constitutional Chapter

Impact of Political Uncertainty

Sana Jaffrey, a researcher at the Australian National University (ANU), told Reuters that the crisis demonstrates how the political fortunes of a handful of elites are being prioritized over the country’s need for stable and effective governance.

She warned that prolonged uncertainty at the highest level of power risks heightening concerns among both domestic and foreign investors, as well as the public, regarding Indonesia’s future direction.***

Author: YAN