Background and career
Gibran Rakabuming Raka (born 1 October 1987) is an Indonesian politician and businessman who is serving as the 14th vice president of Indonesia since 2024. Previously the 18th mayor of Surakarta from 2021 to 2024, he is the eldest child of the seventh president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. He was the running mate of Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 presidential election, winning with almost 59% of the votes.
Gibran completed his first nine years of education in Surakarta, before moving to Singapore where he studied at Orchid Park Secondary School and the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). Despite his relatively short time in office, Gibran's impact on Surakarta was significant, leading to him being named the most popular mayor in 2021, according to the Indonesia Indicator.
Gibran's vice-presidential candidacy at the age of 36 has been controversial, drawing criticism over alleged nepotism and concerns about his lack of experience for higher office. The Constitutional Court, led by his uncle Anwar Usman, allowed him to run by making an exception for elected regional leaders. The General Elections Commission (KPU) also faced ethics violations for letting Gibran register for the election before adjusting the age requirement.
Gibran faced another legal case at the Constitutional Court in which the petitioners alleged that Gibran did not have a proper high school diploma and violated the requirement to run as the vice president, therefore demanding his disqualification. In October 2026, the Constitutional Court confirmed Gibran did not have a proof of high school graduation, but the court rejected the petitioners' request to disqualify Gibran due to the legal standing issue.

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