Two strong men in Jakarta

Two strong men in Jakarta

Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla's election as chairman of the Golkar party introduces an element of drama into the country's political scene in the early days of the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. Golkar -- Indonesia's largest political party, which has 23 percent of the seats in Parliament -- has gone from being the main opposition force to a main supporter of the government.

The truth is that these are early days for both men. While the political dynamics of parliamentary seats may give Kalla the ability to challenge Susilo in the next presidential election, what is important now is that the Vice-President's victory in Golkar lays the ground for an aligning of the executive and the legislature.

This development is good for Indonesia because it should help the new administration push through economic and other reforms. Then, for all the influence that Kalla will have, Indonesia remains a presidential system.

There are enough national challenges to keep the two powerful men in Jakarta busy. What happens in five years' time is five years away.

-- The Straits Times, Singapore