Jakarta, Nov 13:
Indonesia’s Vice-President Raka resigned on Thursday amid mounting questions about whether he met the educational requirements necessary to hold the constitutional office, following recent court rulings that challenged the validity of his academic credentials.
The controversy intensified after the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that documents submitted by Raka concerning his overseas education did not satisfy the requirements governing election eligibility.
He had reportedly indicated his intention to step down during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, saying he wanted to prevent the issue from developing into a prolonged political dispute.
However, a Cabinet minister subsequently said the President had encouraged Raka to defend himself against the allegations. It was not clear at the time whether his offer to resign had been formally accepted.
The latest development comes after 120 legislators belonging to eight political parties submitted a petition to the leadership of the House on Wednesday, initiating a parliamentary process that could ultimately result in his impeachment.
Under Indonesian law, the House leadership is required to establish a special committee to examine whether Raka violated constitutional provisions by occupying the vice-presidential position despite the alleged failure to meet the required qualifications.
If the committee concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations, Parliament must refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for a determination on whether a constitutional violation has occurred.
The Indonesian Constitution provides that a vacancy in the vice-presidential office does not automatically lead to fresh national elections.
Instead, the People’s Consultative Assembly must select a successor from two candidates nominated by the President within 60 days of the vacancy.
Raka’s resignation has therefore opened the way for the constitutional process to identify a replacement, even as questions surrounding his eligibility continue to attract political attention.
The academic qualifications controversy is understood to be separate from investigations into allegations that senior police officials were involved in telephone surveillance targeting the President.