Ma'ruf Amin

The 13th Vice President of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin, took the oath of office on 20 October 2019 at the age of 76. Serving until 2024, he remains the oldest individual to ever hold the vice-presidential position in the country, bringing to the office decades of experience in both legislative politics and Islamic leadership.

Early Education and Career

Born in 1943 in Kresek during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, Ma'ruf Amin began his formal education at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang between 1958 and 1961. He later attended Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim and received a degree from Ibn Khaldun Bogor University, where he studied from 1964 to 1967. Following his graduation, he engaged in dakwah missions in Jakarta before entering the political sphere.

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Legislative Experience

Ma'ruf Amin entered national politics in 1971 when he was elected to the People's Representative Council. He subsequently served on the Jakarta City Council as a member of the United Development Party from 1977 until 1982. Following the fall of Suharto, he returned to the national legislature, representing the National Awakening Party from 1999 to 2004, during which time he chaired the Fourth Commission focusing on agriculture, food, and maritime affairs.

Religious Leadership

Before his vice presidency, Ma'ruf held significant roles within Islamic organizations. He served as the Supreme Leader of Nahdlatul Ulama from 2015 to 2018 and was appointed Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council in 2015. His work involved chairing the council's committee for legal opinions and the National Sharia Committee. He resigned his leadership posts within Nahdlatul Ulama to pursue the vice-presidential candidacy offered by President Joko Widodo.

Vice Presidency and Policy

Upon his inauguration in 2019, Ma'ruf prioritized the development of the halal economy and industry. His office also coordinated national policies aimed at the eradication of stunting. Throughout his term, he engaged in active outreach, visiting various provinces across Indonesia to oversee religious and governmental affairs. He received several state awards, including the Star of the Upholder of Democracy and the Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna in 2019.