Susilo-Kalla rivalry may hamper road to effective governance
Susilo-Kalla rivalry may hamper road to effective governance
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
A rift between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his deputy,
Jusuf Kalla, has reached a critical stage and if not kept in
check could hamper the way to effective governance, analysts say.
Political analyst Indra J. Piliang of the Centre for Strategic
and International Studies (CSIS) said political rivalry between
Susilo and Kalla had penetrated the top level of bureaucracy,
slowing down the implementation of various government policies.
"A recent order issued by President Susilo on the need to
revamp the National Disaster Management and Refugee Coordination
Board (Bakornas PBP) is among many indications that the rift is
widening. I see the move as a gesture from the President to
reassert his control over the government and state he is in
charge of all affairs," Indra told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Citing a lack of coordination and poor management in handling
emergency relief operations for tsunami victims in Aceh, Susilo
ordered the reorganization of Bakornas PBP, which is led by the
Vice President.
Susilo's move also came after the much-publicized row that was
triggered by the issuance of a vice presidential decree to
establish a national team to deal with humanitarian work in the
tsunami-battered province.
State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra had said that the
country's legal system only recognized a presidential, not vice
presidential, decree and that Kalla's order was invalid.
State Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan A.
Djalil and two presidential spokesmen recently visited the
offices of several publications in Jakarta to explain that Susilo
and Kalla were not engaged in rivalry.
Indra further said that the rift was prompted by political
bickering between Susilo and Kalla, especially after the Vice
President was recently elected leader of the Golkar Party, the
largest political party in the country.
"Kalla thinks that his position as the Golkar leader adds
political weight to his vice presidency, a position considered
powerless in the past," he said.
Kalla snatched the Golkar leadership from Akbar Tandjung in a
bitter contest in December.
However, the row between the President and his deputy
reportedly dates back to the selection of ministers for Susilo's
United Indonesia Cabinet. The process of picking ministers
dragged on as Kalla allegedly meddled in the selection process.
Analyst Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia shared
Indra's view, warning that the rift could intensify in the
future.
The rivalry could preoccupy the top level of bureaucracy if
not settled soon, he said.
"We have seen proof in the Aceh issue; the presidential and
vice presidential offices are competing with one another in
making sure that their interests are served," Arbi told the Post.
He said the rift could subside if Susilo managed to
counterbalance Kalla's political clout.
"Susilo needs to build an alliance of political parties to
strengthen support for him, an alliance that excludes Golkar,"
Arbi said.