The expected registration of the president’s 36-year-old son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as a running mate for the favourite to become the next president has raised worries about a resurgence of patronage politics in a country that emerged from authoritarian rule 25 years ago.

Gibran’s bid to become vice-president was enabled by a Constitutional Court ruling removing a minimum age requirement of 40 for presidential or vice-presidential candidates, on the condition that they have been elected to regional posts. Gibran was elected the mayor of Surakarta city in 2020.

Enny Nurbaningsih, a judge and spokesman for the Constitutional Court, said that it had received seven complaints filed by activists and others, of a suspected “ethical violation” in connection with the ruling last week by a nine-judge bench.

One complainant called for the court’s chief judge, Anwar Usman, who is the president’s brother-in-law and Gibran’s uncle, to step down, she said. She did not elaborate.

“We leave this matter to the council. We will not intervene,” she told a press conference late yesterday, referring to an ethics council the court has set up to look into the complaints.

Anwar, who also attended the press conference, did not comment on the complaints but said he abided by his judicial oath.

Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, must step down after serving a maximum two terms. He has brushed off fears that he is building a political dynasty by saying the people would decide with their votes.

Gibran has been named as the vice-presidential candidate of defence minister Prabowo Subianto, who is leading in opinion polls to win the election in February.

The two are expected to register as candidates with the election commission on Wednesday.