Indonesia’s vice-president ‘intends to resign’ after qualifications questioned

{"text":[[{"start":14.14,"text":"Indonesia’s vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka has said he plans to resign after the nation’s highest courts questioned his educational credentials, according to a senior government official."}],[{"start":22.94,"text":"If confirmed, the resignation would be likely to mark the final breakdown of the alliance between President Prabowo Subianto and Gibran’s influential father, former president Joko Widodo. It could also deepen instability in south-east Asia’s largest economy, which is already contending with soaring living costs and a tumbling stock market."}],[{"start":44.22,"text":"Gibran informed Prabowo of his intention to step down on Tuesday morning, state secretary Prasetyo Hadi told a news conference."}],[{"start":54.6,"text":"“During the discussion, the vice-president expressed his intention to resign in response to the evolving dynamics surrounding the decisions of the constitutional court and the Supreme Court,” Prasetyo said, referring to recent rulings on Gibran’s educational qualifications."}],[{"start":68.62,"text":"Prasetyo said Prabowo had not rejected the resignation plan, without giving further details of the president’s intentions. Gibran had also asked for an opportunity to prove the legitimacy of his qualifications, he said."}],[{"start":81.86,"text":"In brief comments at a separate news conference, Gibran confirmed that he met with the president, but did not comment on whether he planned to resign."}],[{"start":90.3,"text":"Prabowo had suggested he continue his legal fight to prove his qualifications, Gibran said. He said he did not want the controversy over his educational certificates to become a prolonged political debate."}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":102.9,"text":"Prabowo’s approval ratings have been falling amid growing discontent over the rising cost of living and a weaker rupiah. The Indonesian stock market is the world’s worst performer this year due largely to concerns over the president’s policies and a downgrade warning from index provider MSCI over widespread share price manipulation."}],[{"start":122.78,"text":"Pressure had been growing on Gibran, 39, to resign after the constitutional court said in an October ruling that it had found no convincing evidence that the vice-president had completed the equivalent of an education to the level of senior high school graduate, a legal requirement to run for the office."}],[{"start":136.98,"text":"Gibran submitted an official high school “equivalency document” for his 2024 candidacy, but this was annulled by the Supreme Court last month."}],[{"start":146.98,"text":"The endorsement of Gibran’s father Widodo was an essential factor in Prabowo’s landslide victory in 2024’s presidential election."}],[{"start":155.5,"text":"Tensions between Prabowo and Widodo have been brewing for some time and the cracks in their relationship deepened last week after a Widodo loyalist — former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo — was arrested on suspicion of wiretapping the president."}],[{"start":170.3,"text":"The government has said the wiretapping could be considered treason."}],[{"start":174.26,"text":"If Gibran resigns, Prabowo must nominate two candidates for vice-president and the parliamentary People’s Consultative Assembly must hold a session within 60 days of the post becoming vacant to choose between them."}],[{"start":192.7,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1794363566_8507.mp3"}