Anies: Jusuf Kalla's Influence Evident in Resolving Conflicts in Aceh and Ambon
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, stated that the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, played a major role in the peace process in several conflict areas in Indonesia, such as Aceh, Ambon, and Poso.
Anies said that Indonesia should be grateful to have a figure like Jusuf Kalla who continues to be an example for the younger generation.
“If we look at Ambon today, which is peaceful, we see Poso, which is peaceful, we see Aceh, which is peaceful, there is Pak JK’s influence in all of that,” said Anies while attending Jusuf Kalla’s 84th birthday celebration on Saturday (16/5/2026).
Anies believes that Jusuf Kalla’s experience in resolving conflicts and his humanitarian work should be an important lesson for the community.
However, he realized that many people often only remember the importance of peace when conflicts occur, but forget the people who played a role after the conflict subsided.
“So, we often feel that peace is important when there is a bloody conflict. At that time, we want peace. After the peace, we often forget that there are people who work on the peace process,” said Anies.
“Well, I think for all of us, we can refer to Pak JK in the experience of reconciling, and the book that was published is also about that, which was just launched earlier,” he said.
On that occasion, Anies also said that he had once created a course on leadership.
At that time, he brought in Jusuf Kalla as a lecturer after JK completed his term as vice president in 2009.
“I once told the story that after Pak JK finished his term as Vice President in 2009, I was still at the campus. We created a course called Leadership Lectures from Pak JK,” said Anies.
According to Anies, the leadership values of Jusuf Kalla are still relevant today, including for the younger generation who have a very large age gap with JK.
“For friends of the generation who may be in their 20s, 30s, the age difference is quite large, maybe 50 years, 60 years, but the essence of the leadership that he has can be an inspiration,” said Anies.
According to him, Jusuf Kalla still shows high enthusiasm and productivity at his current age.
“We are grateful that Mr. Jusuf Kalla is healthy, happy, and productive at the age of 84. He has extraordinary enthusiasm. It’s burning, it keeps burning,” said Anies.
“If you have ever participated in activities with Pak JK, Pak JK is non-stop. Always thinking, always working, always having something to think about,” he concluded.
KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, trustworthy, and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of clear journalism and enjoy the convenience of reading without ads through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.