Portrait of Gibran Rakabuming Raka
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Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Impeachment

Subject of impeachment calls (strong)

TL;DR

Gibran Rakabuming Raka is the subject of formal impeachment proceedings initiated by retired military figures due to alleged ethical and legal breaches.

Key Points

  • A forum of retired military and police officers formally submitted a proposal to the House of Representatives seeking his impeachment on June 2, 2025.

  • The primary legal grounds cited for the impeachment proposal revolve around alleged moral turpitude and questions regarding his qualification due to the age-limit court ruling.

  • Political parties within the ruling coalition, such as Golkar, publicly maintain that Gibran was legally elected and has not committed violations warranting impeachment.

Summary

Gibran Rakabuming Raka is currently facing a formal impeachment petition submitted to the House of Representatives by a group known as the Retired TNI Soldiers Forum. This action is based on allegations including constitutional violations stemming from the controversial Constitutional Court ruling that enabled his candidacy, ethical breaches concerning a pseudonymous online account, and a perceived lack of competence for the vice-presidential role after only six months in office. Proponents argue his path to office was marred by undemocratic processes and legal flaws, suggesting he has become a burden to the administration.

The process for removing the Vice President in Indonesia is constitutionally rigorous, requiring initiation by the House, a review by the Constitutional Court, and final approval by the People's Consultative Assembly, which presents significant procedural barriers. Despite the legal challenges, the discourse surrounding the potential impeachment is widely viewed not as a genuine attempt to remove him, but rather as a sustained form of political pressure on both Gibran and his political patron. While the ruling coalition parties have generally supported the Vice President's legitimate election, the ongoing debate highlights a tension between strict legality and questions of public legitimacy and moral standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gibran Rakabuming Raka's specific stated position regarding the impeachment calls is not extensively detailed in the public discourse, as the action has been initiated by external groups. He is the subject of the impeachment proceedings rather than the initiator or primary defender in the initial stages. The political establishment supporting him maintains that he was legally elected and has committed no impeachable offenses.

The main reasons cited by the retired generals for proposing Gibran Rakabuming Raka's impeachment include alleged constitutional violations related to his nomination process via a controversial Constitutional Court ruling. Further reasons include ethical breaches linked to an anonymous online account and a perceived lack of capacity or competence for the vice-presidency.

The actual removal of the Vice President through impeachment is considered procedurally difficult due to Indonesia's multi-stage constitutional process. Success requires significant support within the House of Representatives and Constitutional Court affirmation, which appears unlikely given the dominance of the pro-government ruling coalition.