Article I of the 1945 Constitution states that Indonesia is a republic with sovereignty vested in the people to be fully exercised by an elected People's Consultative Assembly, which is the highest political institution in the state. Since the Assembly holds the supreme power in the state, the people voice their political and social aspirations through this body.

The major tasks of the Assembly are to sanction the Constitution, decide the Guidelines of State Policy, and elect the President and Vice-President for a term of office of five years.

In relation to the Assembly, the President is its Mandatary and, as such, is accountable to the Assembly for the conduct of government. In the exercise of his duties, the President is assisted by the Vice-President.

The membership of the assembly's consists of the House members and augmented by delegates of regions and groupings. The total number of MPR members is 700 comprising of 500 DPR members. 135 delegates of regions (five persons from each level I region) and 65 delegates of groupings.

Based on Decree No. VII/MPR/1998, the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly separates from Chairman of the House of Representatives. He is assisted by five Vice-Chairmen. The election of the Assembly's chairman is by consensus among members. Where this is impossible, voting may be resorted to as provided for by the 1945 Constitution.