Indonesia VP Gibran formally submits resignation amid controversy over educational qualifications - CNA

The Upper House will now have three days to officially approve his resignation and another 60 days to select a replacement. 

Indonesia's Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is also the son of former president Joko Widodo, arrives at the parliamentary building to meet the Upper House after he had tendered his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto earlier, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov 12, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan)

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Nivell Rayda 12 Nov 2026 01:20PM (Updated: 12 Nov 2026 07:00PM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Threads Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka officially submitted his resignation letter to the parliamentary Upper House on Thursday (Nov 12), ending days of speculation over his future in the Cabinet. 

Gibran, the 39-year-old son of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, had come under intense pressure to resign after the country’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court made separate rulings last month that his education documents did not meet election requirements.

The vice-president arrived at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta at 11.15am where he was immediately mobbed by awaiting journalists. Gibran refused to answer any questions and went straight inside for a private meeting with leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly or MPR, the Indonesian Upper House.  

He emerged from the meeting at around 11.35am without saying a word and went straight to his black Toyota Innova SUV waiting at the lobby.

"Gibran explained his intention in meeting leaders of the People’s Consultative Assembly, which is to submit his resignation from his position as vice-president of Indonesia. The same letter, he said, was also submitted to the president of indonesia, Prabowo Subianto," MPR speaker Ahmad Muzani told reporters. 

According to the Indonesian Constitution, the Upper House will then have three days to officially approve his resignation and another 60 days to select a replacement. 

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka (left) hands over his resignation letter to the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani on Nov 12, 2026. (Photo: Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly) Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka (fourth from left) meets leaders of the People’s Consultative Assembly on Nov 12, 2026, as he submits his resignation letter. (Photo: Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly) PRABOWO ACCEPTS GIBRAN'S RESIGNATION WITH "A HEAVY HEART"The Indonesian presidential office said that prior to his visit to the parliament complex, Gibran met with President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday morning, but gave no detail on what was discussed. After the meeting, the office said, Prabowo personally escorted Gibran to his vehicle.

Following his appearance in parliament, Gibran again met with Prabowo on Thursday afternoon where the president thank him for his service. 

"I would like to emphasise that (Gibran) has provided me with tremendous assistance. Beginning with our election campaign to secure the mandate of the people, and throughout the two years of our administration, we have achieved many tangible results for our people," Prabowo told reporters at the presidential palace in Jakarta. 

"For all his service and hard work, I extend my deepest gratitude and highest appreciation."

The president said that he has accepted Gibran's resignation "with a heavy heart". 

Gibran previously met Prabowo for two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday morning, during which he expressed an intention to resign, according to presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi.

Later on Tuesday afternoon, Gibran told reporters that Prabowo had advised him to continue fighting his case over his educational records, including seeking a judicial review of a Supreme Court ruling.

However, calls for his ouster have since intensified. 

On Tuesday, hundreds of people took to the streets of Jakarta and other cities to protest a number of government policies with Gibran’s impeachment also on the agenda of some groups.

On Wednesday, 120 parliamentarians from all eight factions of parliament signed the proposal to exercise the House of Representatives' right to express an opinion, a mechanism that could potentially lead to impeachment proceedings against Gibran. 

Budi Arie Setiadi, a former minister and a close aide of the Jokowi family, said that Gibran on Wednesday tendered his resignation to Prabowo Subianto. 

On Oct 30, Indonesia's Supreme Court annulled Gibran's overseas high school education equivalency certificate less than a month after the Constitutional Court found insufficient documentary evidence establishing that Gibran’s foreign schooling met the relevant qualification requirements.

Prabowo on Thursday said Gibran had shown "an honourable and courageous attitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and the qualities of a statesman" by resigning to avoid further controversies regarding his credentials "in the greater interest of the nation, the state, and the Indonesian people."

Analysts say the controversy has widened a rift between Prabowo and Jokowi, whose support was instrumental in securing the Prabowo-Gibran ticket's victory in the 2024 election.

Speaking to reporters from his house in Central Java, Jokowi said on Thursday that he has given Gibran some words of encouragements before his appearance at the parliament. 

"I have told Gibran that positions are temporary. We will continue to support the administration of President Prabowo, particularly his pro-people programmes," he said as quoted by Kompas TV. 

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