Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

1936.6.25.–2019.9.11. ○ Natural causes

Indonesian president who succeeded Suharto on his resignation in May 1998 and opened the Reform era

Born in Parepare, Sulawesi, Habibie studied aeronautical engineering at the RWTH Aachen in Germany and worked on the development of the Airbus A300B at Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. As Suharto's state minister of research and technology from 1978 to 1998 he led the development of a domestic airplane, and he held senior posts in Golkar. In the middle of the currency crisis he became vice president in March 1998, and when Suharto resigned on 21 May he succeeded him. He liberalised the press and political party laws, ended the occupation of East Timor and held an early election. When his accountability speech was rejected in October 1999 he withdrew his candidacy.

Also known as: BJ Habibie

Activities and affiliations

1978–1998

Indonesia state institutionsState Minister of Research and Technology
Science and technology
1992–1999

Golkar (Party of Functional Groups)
Political and party leadership
1998–1999

Indonesia state institutionsVice President, PresidentMain
Government and administration

Career Timeline

1960Engineering degree, RWTH Aachen
1978–1998State Minister of Research and Technology
1998.03–05.21Vice President
1998.05.21–1999.10President

Related historical events

1997.07.02–1998.09.23The Asian financial crisis and South Korea's IMF crisisVice President and President of IndonesiaBecame vice president in March 1998 and succeeded Suharto when he resigned on 21 May, opening the Reformasi era.