SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Indonesia’s vice president, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has reportedly resigned from office amid growing controversy surrounding the validity of his high school qualification, adding another layer of political uncertainty to an administration already facing public criticism.#
The 39-year-old’s resignation was announced on Thursday, November 12, by the Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani, who disclosed that Gibran had submitted a formal resignation letter to President Prabowo Subianto and parliament.
According to Muzani, Gibran met with parliamentary leaders on Thursday to communicate his decision and confirmed that he had also forwarded the resignation letter to the president.
The controversy surrounding his educational credentials intensified after Indonesia’s Supreme Court reportedly annulled his high school qualification last month, triggering growing demands from critics and sections of the public for him to step down.
His reported departure comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Indonesian government, which is facing mounting public dissatisfaction over economic hardship, corruption allegations, stagnant wages, and its handling of devastating wildfires that have exposed thousands of residents to toxic smoke.
Thousands of Indonesians have reportedly taken part in protests across several cities in recent weeks, demanding government accountability and action on the country’s worsening social and economic challenges.
The political development could also affect the relationship between President Prabowo and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who is Gibran’s father.
Gibran’s position as vice president was widely viewed as an important political link between Prabowo’s administration and Jokowi’s political network.
Executive Director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, described the development as a significant political realignment but argued that it would not necessarily destabilize the government.
He told AFP that although Jokowi would likely retain political influence, Gibran’s exit could weaken his network’s direct access to power while giving Prabowo greater room to consolidate his leadership.
Meanwhile, public unrest has continued in parts of the country. Punch Online reported that police detained more than 150 people following clashes between protesters and security forces in Yogyakarta.
The demonstrations reportedly involved grievances over economic conditions, wildfires, and government policies. Police said some protesters attacked a parliamentary building with stones, Molotov cocktails, and firecrackers, prompting security forces to intervene.
Gibran’s reported resignation therefore comes amid several overlapping political and social pressures, raising questions about the future of the alliance that helped bring Prabowo and Jokowi’s political interests together.
His departure could mark a significant shift in Indonesia’s political landscape, although its full implications for the administration remain to be seen.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
