(International Observer) Indonesian Vice President Jibrand expressed his intention to resign, adding another variable to the political situation

China News Service, Jakarta, November 10 (Reporter Li Zhiquan) The Indonesian Presidential Palace reported on the 10th that Vice President Jibrand expressed his intention to resign to President Prabowo that day. This news adds another element of uncertainty to the ongoing political turmoil in Indonesia.

Indonesian State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that Prabowo held talks with Gibran for about two and a half hours on the morning of the 10th. During this period, Gibran expressed his intention to resign as vice president in response to changes in the situation caused by relevant rulings of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.

Plasetyo said that Gibran also asked Prabowo for time and opportunity to prove the authenticity of his academic documents through judicial proceedings. He also clarified that it was not true that Prabowo rejected Gibran's intention to resign.

Gibran studied in Singapore and Australia. The controversy originated from the overseas academic certificate he used when he ran for vice president in 2024.

The Indonesian Constitutional Court pointed out on October 6 this year that the existing materials were not enough to convincingly prove that Gibran had a high school diploma that met Indonesian regulations. However, because the applicant lacked the qualifications to be a litigation subject, the relevant application was not accepted. On October 30, the Indonesian Supreme Court ruled that the relevant documents used by Gibran to prove the equivalency of overseas academic qualifications were invalid and revoked.

Following the two judicial rulings, calls for Gibran to resign or impeach him grew. The Indonesian Congress stated that it has received relevant demands from members of different factions and social groups. Some Indonesian political parties also publicly advocated that Gibran should resign voluntarily, otherwise he may face impeachment.

However, the relevant political motions do not yet mean that the impeachment process has been initiated. Indonesian media reported on the 10th that Gibran attended the "National Hero" title awarding ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta that day. Footage from the scene showed Prabowo and Gibran walking side by side.

Indonesia's political situation has continued to be volatile recently. Four senior police officers, including Indonesia's former chief of national police and then chief of staff of the president, Ris Tejo, were detained by the police on November 3 for allegedly illegally tapping the phones of President Prabowo and other individuals, and were subsequently dismissed from their current posts.

Rist was appointed as the chief of the national police by then-President Joko Joko in 2021 and served for more than five years. On October 1 this year, Prabowo reorganized his cabinet on a large scale, and Ristyo became the chief of staff of the president.

During the 2024 presidential election, Prabowo formed an alliance with Jokowi and chose Jokowi's son Gibran as vice president. Indonesian media reported that as Prabowo came to power, the relationship between the two has undergone subtle changes recently.

In addition, the Indonesian Unity Party, in which Jokowi's youngest son Kasan serves as party chairman, has also seen personnel changes in recent days. Many members of the party announced their resignation from the party or withdrew from the party. Among them, Forestry Minister Rajajuli Antony resigned from the post of party secretary-general.

After the eavesdropping case, the Indonesian military announced the deployment of more than 20,000 personnel to Jakarta to strengthen security in the capital.

On November 10, demonstrators rallied in front of the Jakarta Parliament Building, demanding that Congress impeach Gibran and thoroughly investigate the case of suspected eavesdropping on the president. On the same day, Indonesian Congress Speaker Buan said that Congress has not taken further action on this matter and Gibran is still the vice president.