Vice President of Indonesia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia |
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Vice-presidential seal
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| Style |
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| Residence | Vice Presidential Palace |
| Seat | Jakarta |
| Appointer | Direct popular election |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Indonesia |
| Inaugural holder | Mohammad Hatta |
| Formation | 18 August 1945 |
| Salary | Rp 42,160,000 per month |
The Vice President of Indonesia (also called Wakil Presiden Republik Indonesia in Indonesian) is the second most important leader in the Indonesian government. They work closely with the President and would take over if the President could no longer do their job.
Since 2004, both the President and Vice President are chosen directly by the people in an election. They serve for five years.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka is the 14th and current Vice President of Indonesia. He is the youngest person to ever hold this position. He started his job on October 20, 2024.
Contents
History of the Vice President's Job
How the Job Started
The job of Vice President was created when Indonesia's first Constitution was being written in 1945. On August 18, 1945, Mohammad Hatta became the first Vice President. He was chosen by a special committee because the main group that usually elects the Vice President had not been formed yet.
Later in 1945, Hatta made a rule that gave a group called the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) more power. This meant that Indonesia started to act like a parliamentary democracy, where the head of government and head of state were separate roles.
During the Fight for Independence
During Indonesia's fight for independence, Mohammad Hatta and President Sukarno were captured by the Dutch in 1948. They quickly set up an emergency government in Sumatra. This emergency government helped keep Indonesia running until Hatta and Sukarno could return.
After Indonesia became fully independent, a new temporary Constitution was made. This Constitution made the President a ceremonial leader, meaning their role was mostly symbolic. The Vice President's job became less important during this time. In 1956, Hatta resigned because he had different ideas from President Sukarno.
For the next 17 years, there was no Vice President. Even when people suggested having one to help President Sukarno in the 1960s, the idea didn't happen. The job remained empty even after Suharto became President.
The Suharto Years
In March 1973, the Vice President's job was filled again by Hamengkubuwono IX. After him, several other people held the position, including Adam Malik and B. J. Habibie.
During President Suharto's time, the Vice President's role became less powerful. They mostly made sure government plans were followed and attended events. They didn't even take over presidential duties if Suharto was away or sick. People sometimes jokingly called the job a "spare tire" because it wasn't seen as very important.
Changes in Recent Times
When Suharto left office in May 1998, the Vice President's job became empty again. In 1999, Megawati Sukarnoputri was elected Vice President, and the role started to become more important. She was given real tasks to do and even helped manage the government day-to-day.
In 2001, a big decision was made: from 2004 onwards, the Vice President, along with the President, would be directly elected by the people. This showed that the Vice President's job was now seen as very important. Jusuf Kalla became Indonesia's first directly elected Vice President in 2004.
The Vice President's Role
Who Can Be Vice President?
To become Vice President, a person must meet certain requirements. These rules have changed over time with different versions of Indonesia's Constitution.
- Today's Rules (Amended 1945 Constitution): A candidate must be an Indonesian citizen from birth and not a citizen of any other country. They must be loyal to the nation and healthy enough for the job. They also need to be nominated by a political party or a group of parties.
- Other Important Rules (Law No. 42 of 2008): The candidate must believe in God, have reported their personal wealth, not have major debts, and not have been declared bankrupt. They must also be at least 35 years old and have finished high school. They cannot have been Vice President for two terms before.
How They Are Elected and Their Term
The Vice President is elected directly by the people, along with the President. They serve for five years. After that, they can be re-elected for only one more term. Before starting their job, the Vice President must take an oath or make a promise to serve the country.
Taking the Oath
When a Vice President takes office, they say a special oath or promise. This shows they are committed to doing their best for Indonesia.
- Oath: "I swear by Allah to fulfill the duties of president (vice president) of the Republic of Indonesia to the best of my capabilities and in the fairest way possible, to uphold the Constitution by all means and to execute all laws and regulations as straightforwardly as possible as well as to dedicate myself to the service of the nation and the people."
- Pledge: "I solemnly pledge to fulfill the duties of president (vice president) of the Republic of Indonesia to the best of my capabilities and in the fairest way possible, to uphold the Constitution by all means and to execute all laws and regulations as straightforwardly as possible as well as to dedicate myself to the service of the nation and the people."
What Powers Does the Vice President Have?
The Constitution doesn't list specific powers for the Vice President. Usually, the President gives them tasks to do.
What Happens if the Vice President Can't Do Their Job?
If the President dies, resigns, or can't do their job, the Vice President takes over. If both the President and Vice President can't do their jobs, then the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Defense temporarily take over. Then, a new President is chosen by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
If only the Vice President's job becomes empty, the President suggests two people, and the MPR chooses a new Vice President within 60 days.
The Vice President can also be removed from office if they are found to be unfit or have committed serious crimes. This process involves the House of Representatives (DPR), the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court, before a final decision by the MPR.
Life After Being Vice President
After their term ends, former Vice Presidents receive a pension. They also get a house with bills paid by the government, free healthcare for their families, and a car with a driver.
Special Awards
When someone becomes Vice President, they automatically receive some of Indonesia's highest civilian awards, called Star Decorations. These awards show their important service to the country. Some of these include:
Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 2nd Class
Star of Mahaputera, 1st Class
Star of Service, 1st Class
Star of Humanity
Star of Democracy Upholder, 1st Class
Star of Meritorious Service for Culture
Timeline of Vice Presidents
See also
