Jakarta. Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday amid court rulings raising questions over his educational qualifications and a deepening controversy over his eligibility to hold office. Gibran (39), son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the country's highest legislative body 'People's Consultative Assembly' at the Parliament House in the capital Jakarta.
Offered resignation after meeting the President
Raaka offered his resignation during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday. He had said that he does not want to get involved in any long political controversy. However, a cabinet minister said that at that time the President had asked Raaka to present his side. It was also not clear whether the President had accepted his resignation offer or not.
Courts raised questions on educational qualification
The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court said in their rulings last month that the documents submitted by Raka regarding his studies abroad did not meet the mandatory conditions set for contesting elections.
120 MPs had submitted complaint letter
After this, 120 MPs from eight political parties submitted a petition to the leadership of Parliament on Wednesday. This started the parliamentary process against him, under which impeachment proceedings could also be initiated to remove him from the post. Under Indonesian law, leaders of parliament would have set up a special committee to investigate whether Raca violated the constitution by continuing as vice president despite not meeting the mandatory election qualifications. If MPs feel there is sufficient basis in the allegations, Parliament has to ask the Constitutional Court to decide whether there has actually been a violation of the Constitution.