The Government in Indonesia

Indonesia has a presidential democratic republic type of government with the President acting as head of state and government, and of a multi-party system. The 1945 Indonesian Constitution established a partial separation between executive, legislative, and judicial control. Executive power is exercised by the government, legislative both through the government and the 2 People’s Representative Councils.

The president and vice-president are both under the executive branch. They are elected through popular voting for a 5-year term. The president leads the United Indonesia Cabinet as well as the armed forces and selects a council of ministers. The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) is the highest state institution. Part of its responsibilities is to establish extensive state policy guidelines. It has 695 representatives, 550 of which are members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) while the remaining 130 are chosen by 26 provincial parliaments and 65 appointed members from various society groups. After the 2004 presidential election, the MPR became a bicameral parliament with the Regional Representative Council (DPD) acting as the second chamber.

Indonesia’s involvement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which it is a founding member, symbolizes the country’s commitment to strengthen its foreign relations with the international community. Having the world’s largest Muslim population, the country is also an active member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Indonesia is also a solid supporter of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).