Gibran, PDI-P, and Old Wounds from the 2024 Presidential Election

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The 14th Vice President of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, finally revealed his internal struggle when deciding to part ways with the PDI-P in the upcoming Presidential Election (Pilpres) 2024.

Gibran admitted it was difficult to disappoint the party that had guided and nurtured him in the political arena.

This acknowledgment came after he submitted his resignation letter from the vice presidency to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia on Thursday (12/11/2026).

"The hardest part is disappointing the party that has guided and nurtured me and facing the consequences of diverging from it," said Gibran on Thursday evening, as quoted from the Vice President Secretariat's YouTube channel.

His statement brings to mind the political dynamics leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election.

At that time, Gibran, still officially a PDI-P member, accepted an offer from Prabowo Subianto to be his vice presidential candidate.

This decision placed Gibran in opposition to the PDI-P, which had already nominated Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Aside from opposing the party that raised him, Gibran also expressed his internal conflict about leaving his position as Mayor of Solo.

"I went through a difficult internal struggle because I had to delegate the developmental work I initiated as mayor in my birthplace," Gibran explained.

"I had to delegate responsibilities related to the problems faced by the community," he added.

Acknowledging Prabowo's Offer

Gibran confessed that he never planned, nor did he ever consider, becoming a vice president.

However, Prabowo approached him in September 2023 and offered him the position of vice presidential candidate.

Gibran eventually accepted the offer, seeing it as an opportunity to expand his service.

"In the end, I accepted the invitation with the belief that young people must be brave enough to take risks for broader service," Gibran stated.

He mentioned that this decision was based on goodwill and the message about sustainable national development and the importance of involving the younger generation.

"But, this call and trust came with good intentions and a significant message about the sustainability of national development, the importance of embracing the youth, and uniting various elements for the future of the nation," he said.

Ganjar: History Has Recorded It

Gibran's acknowledgment of the difficulty in opposing the PDI-P received responses from several politicians within the party.

PDI-P DPP Chairman and former presidential candidate in the 2024 Elections, Ganjar Pranowo, reminded that Gibran's decision to leave the party and join Prabowo is a historical event.

"History has recorded it," Ganjar told Kompas.com on Friday (13/11/2026).

Ganjar did not comment extensively on Gibran's revelation, instead, he emphasized the moment of filling the vice presidential position that is now open after Gibran's resignation.

According to Ganjar, President Prabowo Subianto and the supporting parties have the opportunity to choose the right person for the vice presidency.

"This is a chance for the President and supporting parties to select the most suitable candidate. Because this is a moment to restore public trust," he said.

Ganjar hopes the selection of a new vice president can serve as a moment to improve Indonesia's economic conditions.

He believes that economic recovery must be accompanied by strengthening the exchange rate of the rupiah, the recovery of the Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG), and increasing investor confidence.

"With hopes that the economy improves, the rupiah strengthens, the IHSG recovers, and investors feel confident to reinvest in Indonesia, leading to economic growth and job creation," Ganjar stated.

Meanwhile, senior PDI-P politician Hendrawan Supratikno views Gibran's acknowledgment as an honest statement.

"An honest statement," Hendrawan told Kompas.com on Friday.