Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran resigns, adviser says
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has submitted his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto, according to his adviser Budi Arie Setiadi. He is due to submit his letter to the upper house, which must approve his departure and appoint a replacement, Reuters reports.
Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka handed his resignation to President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, his adviser Budi Arie Setiadi told Reuters. Two sources in the upper house of Parliament said Gibran is due to submit his resignation letter to the chamber on Thursday morning, which will organise the replacement procedure.
The upper house will have to meet to establish that the post is vacant, then ask the president to propose two names for the succession. It will then hold an election within 60 days, according to Justice Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra.
The resignation comes as 120 Indonesian lawmakers from several political currents filed a petition on Wednesday calling for Gibran’s removal. The 39-year-old Vice-President, son of former President Joko Widodo, has faced criticism since decisions by the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court concerning his educational documents and eligibility requirements.
Gibran’s departure also comes amid growing tensions between President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo, whose political alliance enabled Prabowo to become president. The resignation could increase political uncertainty in Indonesia, according to analysts cited by Reuters.
