Partying Together, Washing Dishes Alone

Today, Gibran resigns as Vice President, creating a political precedent that is not worth teaching to the younger generation: political agreements can be easily betrayed by those who made them.

Prabowo Subianto and the coalition parties that asked Gibran to be the vice presidential candidate back then, during the 2024 elections. They jointly worked to ensure that all requirements were met by the presidential and vice presidential candidates, Prabowo and Gibran, including the controversial MK ruling regarding the age of presidential/vice presidential candidates.

Nomination documents were submitted together to the General Elections Commission (KPU). However, now that the party is over, Gibran is asked to wash the dishes alone.

Bad examples arise when togetherness only applies as long as it’s profitable.

When Gibran's support and his family's political influence were needed, the doors of coalition were wide open. However, when problems arose, the shared responsibility seemed to turn into Gibran's personal matter.

Prabowo and the coalition parties cannot position themselves as parties detached from the nomination decision. They were involved in determining, fighting for, and enjoying the outcomes.

Morally, they must also be willing to acknowledge and bear some responsibility for that shared choice.

Respecting judicial decisions is mandatory. However, the absence of a PK effort by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education conveys a strong political nuance that pressures Gibran. After all, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education is a subordinate of the Vice President.

The responsible statesmanship should be collectively exercised, by both Prabowo Subianto and the parties supporting Prabowo-Gibran, and not make Gibran’s resignation a way to wash their hands clean.

The younger generation is witnessing how leaders treat agreements without political ethics.

If someone is only embraced when it is advantageous, then abandoned when it becomes a burden, then politics teaches that loyalty can be exchanged for individual safety.

Gibran may leave his position. However, Prabowo's and the coalition's moral responsibility does not end with the resignation letter as Vice President.

Those who celebrated together should also be willing to clean up the same feast.