Indonesia's vice president resigns as his eligibility and academic credentials are questioned

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's vice president resigned on Thursday as questions mounted about his eligibility for the position following recent court rulings that cast doubt on his educational qualifications. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo, tendered his resignation to the leadership of the People's Consultative Assembly, the nation's highest legislative body, at the parliament building in Jakarta.

Raka had initially offered to resign on Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, stating his desire to prevent a prolonged political crisis. However, it was unclear whether the president had accepted the resignation offer at that time. The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court had ruled last month that Raka's submitted documents regarding his overseas education did not comply with election requirements.

A subsequent petition, presented to the House leadership by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties on Wednesday, initiated a parliamentary procedure that could potentially result in Raka's impeachment. Under Indonesian law, the House leaders are required to establish a special committee to investigate whether Raka has violated the constitution by serving as vice president, despite allegedly failing to meet election requirements.

Should lawmakers find sufficient grounds for the accusation, the House must request the Constitutional Court to rule on the constitutionality of the situation.

The academic credentials investigation appears unrelated to probes into allegations that high-ranking police officials may have engaged in wiretapping targeting the president.