Indonesia is facing fresh political uncertainty after more than 100 lawmakers signed a petition seeking the impeachment of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka over questions surrounding his educational qualifications and eligibility to remain in office.
The development has attracted national and international attention, particularly because Gibran is the son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, approximately 120 lawmakers from eight political parties signed and submitted a petition challenging Gibran's eligibility. The move followed recent court decisions questioning whether the educational documents he used to satisfy the requirements for his 2024 vice-presidential candidacy were valid.
The political controversy has also raised questions about the relationship between current President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, whose political support played an important role in Prabowo's presidential campaign.
Why Indonesian Lawmakers Are Seeking Gibran's Impeachment
The controversy centres on Gibran's educational qualifications and whether the documents he presented during the 2024 election satisfied Indonesia's legal requirements for vice-presidential candidates.
Gibran, who is 39 years old, previously studied abroad and used an education equivalency certificate to demonstrate that he met the country's educational requirements.
However, recent decisions by Indonesia's Constitutional Court and Supreme Court have raised questions about the validity of the documents.
In a ruling published on Tuesday, November 10, the Supreme Court instructed the Ministry of Education to withdraw Gibran's education equivalency certificate after annulling it.
The court's decision intensified criticism from lawmakers who argue that the development raises constitutional questions about his eligibility to continue serving as vice president.
Some lawmakers have therefore called for formal proceedings to examine whether Gibran met the legal requirements for holding the position.
120 Lawmakers Sign Petition
The impeachment initiative gained significant momentum on Wednesday when approximately 120 members of Indonesia's House of Representatives signed a petition challenging Gibran's eligibility.
The lawmakers reportedly represent eight political parties, demonstrating that the controversy has attracted attention across different political groups.
One of the lawmakers involved, Muhammad Kholid, explained that the petition was based on the position that Gibran no longer satisfied the constitutional requirements for the vice presidency following the recent court decisions.
The petition was submitted to parliamentary leadership as part of efforts to activate the legislative process.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) also announced that its 110 lawmakers had agreed to invoke parliament's constitutional right to express an opinion, a mechanism that can lead to impeachment proceedings.
The development represents a significant escalation of the political dispute surrounding the vice president.
Gibran Reportedly Offers to Resign
The controversy intensified further after Gibran reportedly expressed his intention to resign during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, November 10.
According to State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi, the meeting lasted approximately two and a half hours.
During the discussions, Gibran reportedly told the president that he was considering resignation in response to the growing controversy surrounding the court decisions.
President Prabowo reportedly advised him to continue pursuing available legal options to defend the validity of his educational documents.
On Wednesday, an aide also told Reuters that Gibran had tendered his resignation to the president.
However, the formal status and acceptance of the resignation remained unclear in initial reports.
The situation has added another dimension to the political crisis, as Indonesia faces questions about the future of its vice-presidential leadership.
Political Tensions Between Prabowo and Jokowi
The developments have also drawn attention to the relationship between President Prabowo Subianto and former President Joko Widodo.
Jokowi played an important role in supporting Prabowo's successful presidential campaign in 2024, while Gibran became Prabowo's running mate.
Their political partnership helped shape Indonesia's current leadership arrangement.
However, the latest controversy has raised questions about whether disagreements surrounding Gibran could affect the relationship between the two political figures.
Political observers have suggested that the situation could create difficulties for the administration if the disagreement develops into a broader political conflict.
The possibility of a weakening alliance between Prabowo and Jokowi is particularly important because both figures have maintained considerable influence in Indonesian politics.
Nevertheless, the precise political consequences of the current developments remain uncertain.
How Indonesia's Impeachment Process Works
Signing an impeachment petition does not automatically remove a vice president from office.
Indonesia has a constitutional procedure that must be followed before a president or vice president can be impeached.
The process generally involves several stages.
First, lawmakers must formally initiate parliamentary proceedings to examine the allegations.
A special committee can then investigate whether there are sufficient constitutional grounds for impeachment.
If parliament determines that the allegations have a legal basis, the matter can be referred to the Constitutional Court for consideration.
The court must examine the allegations and determine whether a constitutional violation has occurred.
If the court confirms the violation, parliament can proceed with a proposal to the People's Consultative Assembly, which has the authority to make the final decision on removal from office.
Therefore, although the petition represents a major political development, Gibran's removal is not automatic.
International Attention on Indonesia's Political Situation
Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's largest economies and an important member of the international community.
Consequently, political uncertainty surrounding its leadership has attracted attention beyond the country.
Investors, regional governments and international organisations closely monitor developments in Indonesia because political stability can influence economic confidence, investment decisions and regional cooperation.
The current controversy comes at a time when the Prabowo administration is also dealing with criticism surrounding some government programmes, economic concerns and other political challenges.
A prolonged leadership dispute could therefore create additional pressure on the government.
However, Indonesia's constitutional institutions remain responsible for handling the matter through established legal procedures.
What Happens Next?
Attention is now focused on Indonesia's parliament and the next stages of the impeachment initiative.
The House of Representatives has scheduled a plenary session for Thursday, November 12, to consider the proposal for further parliamentary action.
Lawmakers will have to determine whether the allegations warrant a formal investigation and whether the constitutional procedure should continue.
The status of Gibran's reported resignation is also an important issue that could influence the country's political situation.
Meanwhile, the vice president's legal options and the government's response to the court decisions will remain central to the unfolding developments.
Conclusion
The decision by approximately 120 Indonesian lawmakers to challenge Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's eligibility marks a significant moment in the country's political affairs.
The controversy, which centres on questions about his educational qualifications and recent court decisions, has created uncertainty surrounding his future in government.
Gibran's reported resignation offer, the impeachment petition and the political relationship between President Prabowo and former President Joko Widodo have further complicated the situation.
As Indonesia's parliament prepares to consider the next steps, the country faces an important constitutional and political test.
Whether the process eventually leads to Gibran's departure from office or a resolution through legal proceedings, the outcome could have important implications for Indonesia's political leadership and stability.
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