President of Indonesia

President of Indonesia
Post	President
Body	Indonesia
Native name	Presiden Republik Indonesia
Incumbent	Joko Widodo
Incumbentsince	20 October 2014
Style	His/Her Excellency
Residence	Istana Merdeka
Seat	Jakarta
Appointer	Popular election
Termlength	Five years, renewable once
Formation	18 August 1945
Inaugural	Sukarno

President of Indonesia

The President of Indonesia is the head of state and head of civic administration of the Republic of Indonesia. The office was established during the Indonesian National Revolution and formalized in the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia. The presidency has been held by figures from the independence era such as Sukarno and Suharto to contemporary leaders like Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Joko Widodo.

History

The origins of the office trace to the proclamation of independence by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta in 1945 and the subsequent adoption of the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia. During the Indonesian National Revolution against the Netherlands and the United Nations mediated rounds such as the Linggadjati Agreement and the Renville Agreement, the president served as the supreme representative of the republic. Post-independence, the office evolved through the era of Guided Democracy under Sukarno and the transition to the New Order (Indonesia) under Suharto, whose lengthy tenure followed the Supersemar transfer of authority and the political purges after the 30 September Movement. The fall of Suharto in 1998 during the Reformasi movement led to constitutional amendments influenced by actors including B. J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, and Amien Rais, producing limitations on presidential terms and enhanced checks by institutions like the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the House of Representatives (DPR). Subsequent presidencies addressed decentralization laws, market reforms linked to International Monetary Fund programs, and security policies shaped by events such as the Bali bombings and counterterrorism cooperation with Australia and the United States.

Role and Powers

The president holds executive powers as defined in the amended 1945 Constitution of Indonesia and acts as commander-in-chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). The office appoints and receives credentials of envoys to United Nations bodies, maintains bilateral relations with states such as China, India, Japan, United States, and Saudi Arabia, and represents Indonesia at forums including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the G20, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Domestic powers include the appointment of cabinet ministers, the issuance of government regulations in lieu of law under constitutional constraints, and the veto of legislation subject to review by the Constitutional Court of Indonesia. The president's authority is checked by the Supreme Court of Indonesia, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and oversight from parliamentary bodies such as the House of Representatives (DPR). Security responsibilities involve coordination with the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, and regional governors such as those of Jakarta and Bali for disaster response frameworks involving agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority.

Election and Term

Presidential elections are conducted by direct popular vote regulated by the General Elections Commission (KPU) following constitutional amendments enacted after Reformasi. Candidates typically emerge from national parties including Golkar, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), National Awakening Party (PKB), and National Mandate Party (PAN), often forming coalitions with organizations like the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN). A presidential ticket requires a running mate for the vice president and must meet eligibility criteria linked to citizenship, age, and legal standing under statutes enacted in parliament. The term length is five years, renewable once consecutively, as constrained by amendments influenced by figures such as Amien Rais and ratified by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Duties and Residence

The president resides and conducts state business at presidential palaces such as Istana Merdeka and Istana Negara in Jakarta, while official retreats include Istana Bogor and Istana Cipanas which hosted state guests from countries like Australia and Singapore. Ceremonial duties include presiding over national commemorations at the National Monument (Monas), awarding national honors such as the Bintang Republik Indonesia, and delivering annual addresses to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Policy duties intersect with ministries including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and with state enterprises such as Pertamina and Bank Indonesia for economic stewardship.

Vice Presidency and Succession

The vice president, elected on the same ticket, assumes presidential duties in cases of incapacity or vacancy; notable vice presidents have included Sutan Sjahrir (historical figure), Hamengkubuwono IX, Try Sutrisno, Megawati Sukarnoputri (before her presidency), B. J. Habibie, and Ma'ruf Amin. Succession procedures are outlined in the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia and further clarified in laws passed by the People's Representative Council (DPR), with interim arrangements involving the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Supreme Court of Indonesia in disputed cases. The vice presidency has served as a political balancing instrument within coalitions comprising parties like Golkar, PDI-P, and Gerindra.

Symbols and Insignia

Presidential symbols include the Garuda Pancasila as the national emblem, the presidential standard displayed at official vehicles and palaces, and regalia used in state ceremonies such as the Bintang Mahaputera. The presidential residence complex features flags and insignia reflecting Indonesia's national identity and is secured by units like the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres). State decorations presented by the president bear names linked to national history and are comparable to international honors exchanged with nations including France, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.

Category:Politics of Indonesia Category:Heads of state