List of Indonesian Vice Presidents by Term: Who Was the Youngest?

The Constitutional Court (MK) has just granted a lawsuit to add clauses to the requirements for becoming a presidential and vice-presidential candidate.

According to *Katadata*, the lawsuit was filed by Almas Tsaqibbirru, who requested that the judges add a clause regarding experience as a regional head. Another requirement is a minimum age of 40 years.

"The Petitioner's request is partially granted," said MK Chief Justice Anwar Usman during the reading of the verdict on Monday (16/10/2023).

Previously, the MK had rejected a lawsuit filed by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), the Garuda Party, and the Gerindra Party. PSI previously asked the MK to lower the age of presidential and vice-presidential candidates to 35 years from the previous 40 years.

In the political context, this decision opens up the possibility for Gibran Rakabuming Raka to run as the vice-presidential candidate for one of the strongest candidates, Prabowo Subianto. The son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was one of four potential vice-presidential candidates for Prabowo, although he was previously hampered by the age limit.

(Also read: The Issue of Political Dynasties Surfaces Ahead of the Election, How Do Citizens Respond?)

Aside from this controversial decision, what have been the ages of Indonesian vice presidents throughout history?

According to the official website of the Indonesian Vice President, there have been 13 vice presidents in Indonesia from 1945-2019.

Based on their age, Vice President Mohammad Hatta was the youngest, at 43 years old when inaugurated. He served alongside Soekarno, who was 44 years old when inaugurated, at the time of Indonesia's independence.

The second youngest was Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was inaugurated as vice president at the age of 52. She served alongside President Abdurrahman Wahid, who was 59 years old at the time.

The third youngest was Try Sutristo, at 58 years old at the time of his inauguration. He served alongside President Soeharto. Fourth was Umar Wirahadikusumah, who was 59 years old at the time of his inauguration, also serving alongside President Soeharto.

Beyond the top four, the age of vice presidents reached 60 years old. The oldest vice president at the time of inauguration was Ma'ruf Amin, at 76 years old. Ma'ruf served alongside Joko Widodo during his second term in 2019.

Here is the data of Indonesian Vice Presidents (1945-2019) at the time of their inauguration:

* First Vice President (1945-1956) – Drs. Mohammad Hatta
Place of birth: Bukittinggi, West Sumatra
Date of birth: Tuesday, August 12, 1902
Age at inauguration: 43 years old

* Second Vice President (1973-1978) – Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana IX
Place of birth: Yogyakarta
Date of birth: Friday, April 12, 1912
Age at inauguration: 61 years old

* Third Vice President (1978-1983) – H. Adam Malik
Place of birth: Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra
Date of birth: Thursday, July 22, 1917
Age at inauguration: 61 years old

* Fourth Vice President (1983-1988) – General (Ret.) Umar Wirahadikusumah
Place of birth: Situraja, Sumedang, West Java
Date of birth: October 10, 1924
Age at inauguration: 59 years old

* Fifth Vice President (1988-1993) – Lieutenant General (Ret.) Sudharmono, S.H.
Place of birth: Cerme, Gresik, East Java
Date of birth: Saturday, March 12, 1927
Age at inauguration: 61 years old

* Sixth Vice President (1993-1998) – General (Ret.) Try Sutrisno
Place of birth: Surabaya, East Java
Date of birth: November 15, 1935
Age at inauguration: 58 years old

* Seventh Vice President (March 14, 1998 – May 21, 1998) – Prof. Dr. Ing. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
Place of birth: Pare-Pare,
Date of birth: Thursday, June 25, 1936
Age at inauguration: 62 years old

* Eighth Vice President (1999-2001) – Megawati Soekarnoputri
Place of birth: Yogyakarta,
Date of birth: Thursday, January 23, 1947
Age at inauguration: 52 years old

* Ninth Vice President (2001-2004) – Prof. Dr. H. Hamzah Haz
Place of birth: Ketapang, West Kalimantan
Date of birth: Thursday, February 15, 1940
Age at inauguration: 61 years old

* Tenth Vice President (2004-2009) – Drs. H. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla
Place of birth: Watampone, South Sulawesi
Date of birth: May 15, 1942
Age at inauguration: 62 years old (served alongside SBY during his first term)

* Eleventh Vice President (2009-2014) – Prof. Dr. H. Boediono, M.Ec
Place of birth: Blitar, East Java,
Date of birth: Thursday, February 25, 1943
Age at inauguration: 66 years old

* Twelfth Vice President (2014-2019) – Drs. H. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla
Place of birth: Watampone, South Sulawesi
Date of birth: May 15, 1942
Age at inauguration: 72 years old (served alongside Jokowi during his first term)

* Thirteenth Vice President (2019-2024) – K. H. Ma'ruf Amin
Place of birth: Tangerang, Banten
Date of birth: March 11, 1943
Age at inauguration: 76 years old

Here are the vice presidents listed in order of youngest age:

1. Mohammad Hatta 43 years old
2. Megawati Soekarnoputri 52 years old
3. Try Sutrisno 58 years old
4. Umar Wirahadikusumah 59 years old
5. Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana IX 61 years old
6. Adam Malik 61 years old
7. Sudharmono 61 years old
8. Hamzah Haz 61 years old
9. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie 62 years old
10. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla 62 years old
11. Boediono 66 years old
12. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla 72 years old
13. Ma'ruf Amin 76 years old

(Also read: KedaiKOPI Survey: Many Citizens Agree on Age Limits for Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates)