The Indonesian vice presidency was established during the formulation of the 1945 Constitution by the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPK).

On 16 October 1945, Hatta announced a vice presidential decree which gave the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) equal status with that of the president.

During the Indonesian National Revolution, both Hatta and Sukarno were captured by the Dutch in Yogyakarta on 18 December 1948.

In March 1973, the vice president vacancy was filled by Hamengkubuwono IX when he was elected by the MPR.

After Hamengkubuwono IX and throughout the New Order, the vice presidency was successively held by Adam Malik, Umar Wirahadikusumah, Sudharmono, Try Sutrisno, and BJ Habibie.

A vice president was reduced to making sure that government policy was being implemented and attending ceremonies.

[9] The vice president did not even take on presidential duties when Suharto was either out of the country or ill.[10] The office would derogatorily be known as ban serep (spare tire).

In October 1999, Megawati Sukarnoputri was elected as vice president and the office began to gain significance.

[12] The substantial role that the vice presidency was to have was evident in the way in which the 2004 presidential candidates chose their running mates.

2nd Resolution of 1973 MPR: The vice presidential candidate has to make a statement in writing which declares that he or she is able to work together with the president.

The 1950 Provisional Constitution: The vice presidential candidate has to be an Indonesian citizen aged at least 40 years old, cannot be someone who is deemed to be undesirable, or had right to take part in elections revoked.

Former vice presidents are also entitled to a house with electricity, water, and telephone bills covered by the government.

In addition, former vice presidents will have free healthcare for their families and a car with chauffeur.

A vice president of Indonesia is automatically bestowed the highest class of six out of seven civilian Star Decorations (Tanda Kehormatan Bintang), namely:[15]