Kalla's rise reignites fears

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The election of Vice President Jusuf Kalla as the new leader of the Golkar Party has raised concerns of first, a rubber stamp legislature, and later a battle of two potential foes.

Experts and politicians warned that Kalla's win may undercut the ideals and authority of directly elected President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as time goes on.

"Golkar has again become the ruling party and the Nationhood Coalition has collapsed," Director of Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated Sukardi Rinakit was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.

Sukardi said Kalla's election ensured that government policies and programs would run smoothly, but the House of Representatives may cease being critical of the government.

"The House may again become a rubber stamp, as it was during the New Order era as Golkar may completely support the government," Sukardi said following the chaotic party session.

Analyst Indria Samiego said Kalla's victory offered limited, short-term benefits for the Susilo administration.

While in the short term Golkar would be under Kalla's control, Indria was quoted by Associated Press as saying that Kalla would also be in a strong position to run for the presidency in 2009.

"In two years or so, Golkar will start thinking about 2009 and there could be treachery," Indra warned on Sunday.

Mohammad Qodari of the Indonesia Survey Institute (LSI), said Kalla's victory was "a double-edged sword" for Susilo.

"Right now, we have two suns in the country. If they work together shining on Indonesia, it will be good for the people ... But if they don't, they will burn the people," Mohammad said.

"This will accumulate all the power in Kalla's hands. It could complicate (Yudhoyono's) relationship with him," Mohammad was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Golkar controls 23 percent of seats in the 550-member House, while Susilo's Democratic Party holds only 10 percent.

Kalla, a wealthy businessman from Makassar, South Sulawesi, was elected Golkar leader during the party's seventh Congress in Bali on Sunday morning, garnering 326 of the 484 votes up for grabs. Akbar managed just 156.

Kalla entered the convention center late on Saturday like a favored heavyweight boxing challenger, confident of an easy knockout against Akbar, who had held on to the champion's belt for six years.

Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, who lost his legislative seat in October after being dropped by Akbar, confidently walked in front asking people to clear the way for Kalla. In the new party's new lineup, he was included on the central executive board.

The notorious Pemuda Pancasila activist Yorris S. proudly escorted the challenger as he entered the throbbing hall.

In the smoke-filled convention center, Kalla's supporters bellowed "JK!, JK!, JK!," as he entered the room.

Akbar had previously entered the stage to a much more subdued reception along with his wife Nina and his top ally Gen. (ret) Wiranto. One delegate from North Sumatra, a Kalla supporter invited other delegates to bet Rp 50,000 on the outcome. About five people took his bet.

The audience, which gave Akbar two standing ovations as he presented his accountability speech on Thursday, mostly booed him as he entered the hall. Tension emerged as Kalla's supporters demanded the fight be held as soon as possible, while Akbar tried to calm them down. "Do you still respect me?" he asked. A loud, howling "no" was the response.

The rabid audience smelled blood.

Kalla won handily. And, of course, the first person he called was the anxious Susilo, who stands to gain from the stronger support within the legislature -- at least for the time being.

"I was ganged up on," Akbar complained after the election.

Akbar, forever the gentleman, approached Kalla, hugged him and raised his hands after the final count. His tearful wife held Akbar's hand firmly.

The "boxers" in Sunday's match were also the top promoters for themselves and reportedly paid the voters in the crowd.

"Tomorrow we will get money," someone in the audience shouted shortly after the result of the first round was announced. Many participants asked their friends whether they had received the money promised to them by "certain" people.