Kalla takes off for South Africa

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Vice President Jusuf Kalla departed Jakarta for South Africa on Monday, leaving behind mounting public protest against the government's plan to raise fuel prices.

The four-day working visit, Kalla's second overseas trip as vice president after touring China early this month, is aimed at forging closer ties between Indonesia and Africa's leading nation, which have existed for centuries.

Kalla is slated to attend an award presentation for Indonesia- born freedom fighter Sheik Yusuf al-Taj al Khalwatial-Maqasari from the South African government in Pretoria on Tuesday, and inaugurate Nurul Latief Mosque in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The Indonesian government has helped to build the mosque, which stands near the shrine of Sheikh Yusuf, and will be named a national monument.

When visiting Indonesia in April, South African President Thabo Mbeki recognized Sheikh Yusuf, who hailed from Makassar, as the country's hero.

Fresh from his trip to Jakarta to attend the Asian-African commemorative summit jointly hosted by Indonesia and South Africa, Mbeki posthumously awarded Indonesia's founding president Sukarno for his role in building solidarity between the two continents. Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is Sukarno's daughter, received the award.

During his visit, Kalla will also hold separate talks with the Indonesian community and African-Asian society, and attend bilateral talks. A joint press conference will follow the bilateral meeting.

Kalla brings with him an 80-strong entourage that includes his wife Mufidah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister of Religious Affairs Maftuh Basyuni, deputy People's Consultative Assembly speakers A.M. Fatwa and Aksa Mahmud, several House of Representatives legislators, Indonesian Ulema Council secretary-general Ichwan Sam, deputy Muhammadiyah chairman Chaedar Nashir, businesspeople representing the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and lecturers and students from the Makassar-based Hasanuddin University. Kalla himself is a Makassar native.

Over two weeks ago Western Cape Governor Ebrahim Rasool represented South African leader Nelson Mandela in receiving a honorary doctorate title from Hasanuddin University.

Kalla is scheduled to leave Cape Town on Wednesday night and arrive home on Thursday.