Hullabaloo exposes VP's political ambitions

Hullabaloo exposes VP's political ambitions

Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Jakarta

How interesting that two days before the Islamic Day of Sacrifice
(Idul Adha), the Vice President's Office seemingly sacrificed a
scapegoat of their own.

Something is definitely amiss. Whether caused by malice or
incompetence, a number of bizarre episodes have emanated from the
Vice Presidential Office since Jusuf Kalla's assumed office.

The latest humiliation resulted in the "resignation" of Vice
Presidential Secretary Prijono Tjiptoherijanto over a Dec. 27,
2004, circular addressed to Cabinet Ministers and heads of
government agencies.

The circular, signed by Prijono, belittled government hearings
by House of Representatives's legislators and effectively deemed
them irrelevant.

Kalla denied personal liability, saying Prijono
"misinterpreted" his instructions and exceeded his authority.
Like a "good" bureaucrat, Prijono accepted full responsibility
while refusing to divulge if someone other than himself was to
blame.

Prijono, 56, hails from a strong academic background --
recognized as an Exemplary Lecturer at the University of
Indonesia in 1983 and Outstanding Indonesian Scientist of 1990.

However he is no stranger to bureaucratic protocol. The writer
of three books -- Economics of Human Resources, Administrative
and Human Resources Reform, and the Economics of Health -- has in
the last decade been more of a bureaucrat than an academic,
serving as deputy head of the State Administrative Institute
(LAN) and head of the State Employment Agency before being
appointed as Vice Presidential Secretary in April 2002 under
Hamzah Haz.

His rise in the civil service was largely based on his
competence as a straight by-the-book bureaucrat. Furthermore, he
has never been a stooge of any political party.

Hence, unless they spoke in different languages, it is
difficult to fathom how such a well-educated man -- a doctorate
in economics from the University of Hawaii -- could misinterpret
Kalla's remarks and then draw up a specific four-point circular.

Even more bizarre is Kalla's accusation that Prijono was also
to blame for the confusion over former State Intelligence Body
Hendropriyono and Minister Hari Sabarno's military rank promotion
during President Megawati Soekarnoputri's last days in office.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla are equally
concerned with the growing power of the House of Representatives,
and both, in their own way would like to find ways to curb
legislators' authority.

But the risque manner in which the latest measure was taken
bears more of the hallmarks of Kalla's entrepreneurial risk-
taking character than Susilo's deliberating style.

The surprise etched on Susilo's face when queried about the
circular during a hearing with legislators last week further
confirmed that he was oblivious to it.

"Exceeding authority" seems to be a consistent theme coming
out of Kalla's office. From the outset of Susilo's presidency,
Kalla has refused to remain a silent partner. The drama in the
formation of the Cabinet in part was a result of Kalla's "input"
in the selection process.

In the wake of the tsunami disaster, Kalla's office issued a
"decree" to establish a team to deal with the crisis. The problem
was, however, that such a vice presidential decree is not
recognized under the law.

Neither does the Constitution cede executive power to the vice
president, the kind which Kalla is attempting to wield. Many
analysts earlier predicted that Kalla would not remain in the
president's shadow.

Having helped bankroll Susilo's presidential campaign, Kalla
is not there just to enjoy the ride. The series of recent
"scandals" may reveal some of his true ambition. They seemingly
reinforce his stake as deputy chief executive, despite a lack of
constitutional articles to be legitimate.

Kalla's personal confidence has steadily grown over the past
year. A string of successful gambles -- from deserting Golkar to
joining Susilo's presidential team to capturing the Golkar
leadership in mid-December -- has strengthened the perception
that it is he who tips the balance of political clout.

As chairman of the largest faction in the legislature, Kalla
certainly has a more strategic value than his predecessors. But
the over-enthusiasm of the last few weeks seems to have
backfired.

Susilo was quick to grasp that Kalla's creeping assertion of
power not only erodes the president's own, but every emerging
controversy coming out of the vice president's office is a black
mark on the president's leadership.

Friday's announcement that the president is revamping the
presidential/vice presidential offices can only be seen as a
means of reasserting authority and keeping clear tabs on any move
made within Palace circles.

The president's review of the National Disaster Management and
Refugee Coordination Board (Bakornas PBP) headed by Kalla is also
a stinging critique of the vice president's endeavors so far.

The public denials and smiles at photo-ops in Cabinet meetings
belie the brewing rivalry, and round one goes to the president
who has taken clear action in nipping things in the bud. But the
concealed enmity will continue and will only sharpen.

The president may have formal-legalistic power in his arsenal,
but Kalla has the "real politic" clout of Golkar behind him.

The next encounter could emerge when the president needs to
pass a controversial bill in the legislature. Can Kalla extract
something back by using Golkar's clout in the House to trade
support for political favors with the president?

Let round two begin.