Yusril: Vice-President’s resignation does not mean an automatic replacement

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stressed that a Vice-President who resigns is not automatically replaced by another official.

He said a vacancy in the vice-presidential office must be filled through an election by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

“The office that has become vacant is that of the Vice-President. No one can replace them unless an election is held,” Yusril said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

Yusril explained that the process for replacing a Vice-President differs from the succession following President Soeharto’s resignation in 1998. At that time, Vice-President B.J. Habibie automatically succeeded Soeharto after he stepped down as President.

By contrast, when a Vice-President leaves office, no official automatically assumes the position.

The process begins with the MPR declaring that the vice-presidential office is vacant. The MPR leadership then formally notifies the President in writing.

After receiving the notification, the President is expected to submit two vice-presidential candidates for the MPR to elect as soon as possible.

“Under Article 8, paragraph 2, of the 1945 Constitution, the MPR asks the President to submit two candidates for Vice-President as soon as possible, for the MPR to elect within a maximum of 60 days,” he said.

Yusril stressed that the replacement Vice-President is not chosen in a direct election by the public. The process does not involve the General Elections Commission (KPU) either; it falls entirely under the MPR’s authority.