page_title: B. J. Habibie
section_title: Presidency
hierarchical_section_title: B. J. Habibie / Presidency
caption_attribution_description: English: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie takes the oath of office as President of Indonesia, replacing Suharto after his resignation. Bahasa Indonesia: Baharuddin Jusuf Habibie mengambil sumpah sebagai Presiden Republik Indonesia. Ia mengganti Soeharto setelah pengunduran dirinya.
context_page_description: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was an Indonesian engineer and politician who was the third president of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999. Less than three months after his inauguration as the seventh vice president in March 1998, he succeeded Suharto who resigned after 31 years in office. His presidency is seen as a landmark and transition to the Reformation era. Upon becoming president, he liberalized Indonesia's press and political party laws, and held an early democratic election three years sooner than scheduled, which resulted in the end of his presidency. His 517-day presidency and 71-day vice presidency are the shortest in the country's history.
context_section_description: On 21 May 1998, just two months into Habibie's vice presidency, Suharto announced his resignation. Habibie, as the Constitution says, succeeded him as president. The following day, Habibie announced the Development Reform Cabinet, which removed some of the most controversial ministers in Suharto's last cabinet while maintaining others - with no major figures from the opposition. Within days of his appointment, he asked his relatives to resign from government positions, promised an early election, repealed some legislation, and ordered the release of political prisoners.
caption: Habibie taking his presidential oath on 21 May 1998.
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