Indonesia's vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigns

Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned as Indonesia's vice president on Thursday 12 November, according to Indonesia's state news agency Antara and the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Anadolu said he is the first directly elected Indonesian vice president to leave office before completing a five-year term.

Gibran, 39, is the son of former President Joko Widodo. He was elected in 2024 as the running mate of President Prabowo Subianto.

The letter

Gibran handed his resignation letter to leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in a 20-minute meeting at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, Antara reported. MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani read out its main points to reporters.

In the letter, Gibran said he was resigning "at my own request" and "with full awareness, in the interests of the nation and state", according to Antara. "I believe the state and the Indonesian people must be protected above myself," he wrote. Muzani said the letter gave no specific reason.

Prabowo accepts

Prabowo told a press conference at Merdeka Palace that Gibran had personally handed him the letter at 10:15 that morning, Antara reported. "With a heavy heart, I accept the letter and fully respect and support his decision," Prabowo said. He called the decision "chivalrous" and "statesmanlike" and said Gibran had "performed his duties well".

The presidential palace had confirmed on Tuesday that Gibran intended to resign, and Prabowo had opposed the idea at the time, according to Antara. Anadolu reported that State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said Gibran told Prabowo of the plan in a meeting lasting about two and a half hours.

Background

Anadolu reported that Gibran had faced legal challenges at the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court over his educational documents, and that at least 120 lawmakers had moved to use a parliamentary right to express an opinion about him, a step linked to impeachment. His resignation effectively ended that effort, Anadolu said.

Speaking to reporters in Solo, Central Java, Joko Widodo said political posts involve political dynamics and that "positions are temporary", Anadolu reported. He said his family would continue to support Prabowo's government.

What happens next

Muzani said that "as of today, the office of vice president of the Republic of Indonesia is vacant" and that the MPR must fill it "within 60 days at the latest", Antara reported. MPR leaders scheduled a joint meeting with faction leaders and the Regional Representatives Council for 2 p.m. Jakarta time on Friday 13 November to set a date for a plenary session, ask Prabowo to nominate two candidates and form teams to verify the candidates and draft an MPR decree, according to Antara. Anadolu reported that Prabowo must nominate two candidates within 14 days.