Kalla's rise reignites fears<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The election of Vice President Jusuf Kalla as the new leader of
\nthe Golkar Party has raised concerns of first, a rubber stamp
\nlegislature, and later a battle of two potential foes.<\/p>\n
Experts and politicians warned that Kalla's win may undercut
\nthe ideals and authority of directly elected President Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono as time goes on.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar has again become the ruling party and the Nationhood
\nCoalition has collapsed,\" Director of Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated
\nSukardi Rinakit was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Sukardi said Kalla's election ensured that government policies
\nand programs would run smoothly, but the House of Representatives
\nmay cease being critical of the government.<\/p>\n
\"The House may again become a rubber stamp, as it was during
\nthe New Order era as Golkar may completely support the
\ngovernment,\" Sukardi said following the chaotic party session.<\/p>\n
Analyst Indria Samiego said Kalla's victory offered limited,
\nshort-term benefits for the Susilo administration.<\/p>\n
While in the short term Golkar would be under Kalla's control,
\nIndria was quoted by Associated Press as saying that Kalla would
\nalso be in a strong position to run for the presidency in 2009.<\/p>\n
\"In two years or so, Golkar will start thinking about 2009 and
\nthere could be treachery,\" Indra warned on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Mohammad Qodari of the Indonesia Survey Institute (LSI), said
\nKalla's victory was \"a double-edged sword\" for Susilo.<\/p>\n
\"Right now, we have two suns in the country. If they work
\ntogether shining on Indonesia, it will be good for the people ...
\nBut if they don't, they will burn the people,\" Mohammad said.<\/p>\n
\"This will accumulate all the power in Kalla's hands. It could
\ncomplicate (Yudhoyono's) relationship with him,\" Mohammad was
\nquoted by Reuters as saying.<\/p>\n
Golkar controls 23 percent of seats in the 550-member House,
\nwhile Susilo's Democratic Party holds only 10 percent.<\/p>\n
Kalla, a wealthy businessman from Makassar, South Sulawesi,
\nwas elected Golkar leader during the party's seventh Congress in
\nBali on Sunday morning, garnering 326 of the 484 votes up for
\ngrabs. Akbar managed just 156.<\/p>\n
Kalla entered the convention center late on Saturday like a
\nfavored heavyweight boxing challenger, confident of an easy
\nknockout against Akbar, who had held on to the champion's belt
\nfor six years.<\/p>\n
Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, who lost his legislative seat in
\nOctober after being dropped by Akbar, confidently walked in front
\nasking people to clear the way for Kalla. In the new party's new
\nlineup, he was included on the central executive board.<\/p>\n
The notorious Pemuda Pancasila activist Yorris S. proudly
\nescorted the challenger as he entered the throbbing hall.<\/p>\n
In the smoke-filled convention center, Kalla's supporters
\nbellowed \"JK!, JK!, JK!,\" as he entered the room.<\/p>\n
Akbar had previously entered the stage to a much more subdued
\nreception along with his wife Nina and his top ally Gen. (ret)
\nWiranto. One delegate from North Sumatra, a Kalla supporter
\ninvited other delegates to bet Rp 50,000 on the outcome. About
\nfive people took his bet.<\/p>\n
The audience, which gave Akbar two standing ovations as he
\npresented his accountability speech on Thursday, mostly booed him
\nas he entered the hall. Tension emerged as Kalla's supporters
\ndemanded the fight be held as soon as possible, while Akbar tried
\nto calm them down. \"Do you still respect me?\" he asked. A loud,
\nhowling \"no\" was the response.<\/p>\n
The rabid audience smelled blood.<\/p>\n
Kalla won handily. And, of course, the first person he called
\nwas the anxious Susilo, who stands to gain from the stronger
\nsupport within the legislature -- at least for the time being.<\/p>\n
\"I was ganged up on,\" Akbar complained after the election.<\/p>\n
Akbar, forever the gentleman, approached Kalla, hugged him and
\nraised his hands after the final count. His tearful wife held
\nAkbar's hand firmly.<\/p>\n
The \"boxers\" in Sunday's match were also the top promoters for
\nthemselves and reportedly paid the voters in the crowd.<\/p>\n
\"Tomorrow we will get money,\" someone in the audience shouted
\nshortly after the result of the first round was announced. Many
\nparticipants asked their friends whether they had received the
\nmoney promised to them by \"certain\" people.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kallas-rise-reignites-fears-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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