Indonesia’s Vice-President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has resigned amid controversy surrounding his high school educational qualification, adding to pressure on President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which is facing growing public dissatisfaction over economic hardship, corruption and the government’s handling of wildfires.

39-years-old Raka, submitted his resignation to President Subianto and the country’s parliament on Thursday, according to the Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani.

Mr Muzani said Mr Raka met with parliamentary leaders to formally submit his resignation letter from the office of vice-president. He also confirmed that the same letter had been forwarded to the president.

Controversy over academic qualification

The resignation followed repeated calls for Raka to step down after Indonesia’s Supreme Court annulled his high school qualification last month.

The controversy centred on whether his overseas educational records met the legal requirements for presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

The court ruling intensified scrutiny of his eligibility and prompted calls for his removal from office.

Raka’s resignation came after 120 lawmakers from eight political parties reportedly supported a parliamentary initiative that could have led to impeachment proceedings over his educational credentials.

Political pressure mounts on government

Raka’s departure comes at a time of growing public anger against the Indonesian government.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest economic hardship, corruption, perceived authoritarianism and the government’s handling of devastating wildfires.

The fires have reportedly produced toxic haze that has affected thousands of people.

The resignation is also expected to complicate the political relationship between President Subianto and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who is Raka’s father.

Raka had been elected alongside Subianto in 2024, with the support of his father, whose political influence played a significant role in their electoral victory.

Possible political realignment

Executive Director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, described the development as a significant political realignment but said it would not necessarily threaten the stability of the government.

“Jokowi will retain political influence, but Gibran’s departure could reduce his network’s direct access to power. For Prabowo, this creates greater room to consolidate his leadership and pursue his own political agenda,” Fahmi told the Agence France-Presse.

Protests lead to arrests

Meanwhile, Indonesian police detained more than 150 people following clashes between protesters and security forces in Yogyakarta, south-east of the capital, Jakarta.

The violence followed demonstrations across several Indonesian cities on Tuesday over the government’s economic management, its response to wildfires and stagnant wages.

Police said about 100 protesters gathered near the Yogyakarta parliament at approximately 8pm, throwing rocks, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails at the building.

Security forces deployed tactical vehicles to disperse the crowd, while officers reportedly recovered six Molotov cocktails and 12 firecrackers.