Under fire over his degree, Indonesia's VP Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigns

Raka’s resignation comes after the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that documents he submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements.

Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigned on Thursday after questions over his eligibility for the office intensified following court rulings that disputed his educational qualifications.

The 39-year-old, son of former president Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the parliament building in Jakarta, setting in motion a process to approve his departure and select a replacement.Raka’s resignation comes after the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that documents he submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements.

The controversy has since triggered calls for his impeachment, with 120 lawmakers from eight political parties submitting a petition to the House leadership on Wednesday.Raka had offered to resign on Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy. However, a Cabinet minister said Prabowo had urged him to defend himself. It was not immediately clear whether the president had accepted his resignation offer at the time.

Two sources at the parliamentary upper house had earlier told Reuters that Raka was expected to submit his resignation letter on Thursday morning.

What happens next

Under Indonesian law, the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly must establish a special committee to examine whether Raka violated the constitution by serving as vice-president despite allegedly failing to meet the eligibility requirements.If lawmakers find sufficient grounds for the accusation, the House must approach the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether a constitutional violation took place.The parliamentary process will also oversee the approval of Raka’s resignation and the selection of his replacement.