B. J. Habibie

ModernPoliticianIndonesia1936 — ?

Third president of Indonesia who began democratic reforms.

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Quick Facts

Born

1936

Country

Indonesia

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)16

Political (20%)72

Influence (20%)61

Legacy (20%)49

Leadership (15%)67

Strategy (15%)30

Total Score53.0

B. J. Habibie — Complete Timeline

1978 AD

Minister of Research and TechnologyPolitical Action

B. J. Habibie was appointed Minister of Research and Technology by President Suharto. He promoted industrial development, particularly in aerospace and shipbuilding, through state-owned enterprises.

MinisterTechnologyIndustrialization

Impact: nationalconstructive

1998 AD

Vice President of IndonesiaPolitical Action◆ Major

B. J. Habibie was appointed Vice President of Indonesia by Suharto. He served for only two months before Suharto resigned amid the Asian financial crisis and widespread protests.

Vice PresidentSuhartoAsian financial crisis

Impact: national

Presidency and democratic reformsPolitical Action◆ Major

B. J. Habibie became President of Indonesia after Suharto's resignation. He initiated democratic reforms, including freeing political prisoners, allowing press freedom, and holding the first free elections in 1999.

PresidentDemocratic reformsFree elections

Impact: nationalprogressive

1999 AD

East Timor referendumPolitical Action◆ Major

B. J. Habibie allowed a UN-supervised referendum in East Timor, where voters chose independence from Indonesia. The decision was controversial but ended decades of conflict and occupation.

East TimorReferendumIndependence

Impact: regionalconstructive