Prabowo to consult coalition on VP's successor, minister says

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto plans to consult with his ruling coalition parties to deliberate on a successor to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who resigned Thursday amid legal disputes over his educational credentials, a senior minister said.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed the planned talks after a closed-door briefing with the president at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Thursday.

"The president intends to speak with the coalition parties, though we do not know the details yet," Yusril told journalists during a press conference.

"He remarked, 'Perhaps I should consult with the coalition parties.' As for when that meeting will take place, we leave that entirely to his discretion," Yusril added, quoting Prabowo.

Yusril noted that their discussion also covered the administrative procedures required to fill the vacancy after Gibran submitted his resignation letter to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

According to Yusril, the MPR informed the president that it needs at least three days to convene a session and prepare arrangements to appoint a new vice president.

Once the assembly officially transmits the resignation notice to the executive branch, the president has 14 days to submit his nominee to the legislative body.

Yusril emphasized that selecting the nominee remains entirely the head of state's prerogative.

"We leave everything to the president. We trust in his wisdom, his sound political instinct, and his clear vision regarding who would best assist him as vice president for the remainder of the term—approximately the next three years," he said.

Gibran’s formal resignation earlier Thursday, marked by the submission of his letter to the MPR, follows recent rulings by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court concerning the high school credentials he submitted for the 2024 presidential election.

The Constitutional Court found no convincing evidence of an equivalent overseas credential, while the Supreme Court formally declared the graduation document invalid.

Addressing the departure at a State Palace press briefing, Prabowo said he respected his former running mate’s decision with a heavy heart while expressing gratitude for Gibran's two-year tenure.

Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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