Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has resigned before completing his five-year term, making him the first directly elected vice president in the country to leave office early.
The 39-year-old submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto and the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Thursday, state-run Antara News reported.
Gibran, son of former Indonesian president Joko Widodo, met Prabowo at Merdeka Palace before proceeding to the parliament complex in Jakarta to submit his resignation to MPR leaders.
“With a heavy heart, I accept the letter and fully respect and support his decision,” Prabowo told reporters, accompanied by Gibran, parliamentary leaders and Cabinet ministers.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said Gibran had informed Prabowo of his intention to resign during a two-and-a-half-hour meeting on Tuesday.
The decision came amid legal challenges before Indonesia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court concerning Gibran’s educational documents.
His resignation also effectively halted impeachment efforts by at least 120 lawmakers who had proposed exercising their parliamentary right to express an opinion on the vice president.
Under the succession process, Prabowo must nominate two candidates within 14 days, while parliament has 60 days to select Gibran’s replacement.
MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani said the assembly leadership would meet to discuss the resignation before holding a joint meeting with parliamentary faction leaders and the Regional Representatives Council.
“The MPR leadership will meet today to discuss the resignation, followed by a joint meeting with faction leaders and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) to decide on the next steps,” Muzani told reporters.
Gibran served as Prabowo’s running mate in the 2024 election after his father completed two terms as Indonesia’s president.
Reacting to his son’s resignation, Widodo said political positions naturally involve changes and political challenges.
“Positions are temporary,” the former president said, adding that he had previously shared this view with Gibran.
Widodo also reaffirmed his support for Prabowo’s administration, particularly its programs intended to benefit the public.
“We will continue to support President Prabowo’s administration, particularly its programs that serve the interests of the wider public,” he said in Solo, Central Java.
Prabowo praised Gibran’s performance as vice president, citing his visits to 35 of Indonesia’s 38 provinces, 149 districts and cities, and 303 government project sites.
The president described the resignation as “statesmanlike” and credited Gibran for his work and commitment to his responsibilities.
“I have been greatly assisted by him, and he has performed his duties well,” Prabowo said.
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