TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jusuf Kalla has been involved in three presidential elections. In 2004 he ran with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and won. Five years later he was the running mate of presidential candidate Wiranto, and lost. This year he ran as the vice-presidential running mate of Joko Widodo. "I hold the Muri record (Museum Rekor-Dunia Indonesia-Museum of Indonesian Records)," he said laughingly, as he was interviewed at his home in South Jakarta, last week. As reports slowly come in of a possible victory, Kalla, a former Golkar Party chairman, is visited by many people, including politicians from other parties. "But I ask that such meetings take place only after July 22," said Kalla. Excerpts of the brief interview:
After the elections are over, how will you and Jokowi plan to reconcile a divided nation?
I think people will have forgotten it all. After exercising their right to vote, they will have no problems (about reconciliation). I asked my friends, and they tell me people are okay with the situation. There is no more dispute. First, the people, particularly those in urban areas, understand democracy far better. Second, people become radical when it involves themselves. The presidency has nothing to do directly with them.
So the need for reconciliation is not urgent?
At the lower level there's no problem. So who should we be reconciling with? Most likely with Prabowo.
Have you called him?
In the case of Prabowo it should be Pak Jokowi. Same level up there.
Moving forward, you must need additional parties to shore up your coalition if it's to function effectively in the House of Representatives DPR).
From Golkar alone we can get 90 seats, from the PDI-P 61 seats and from PPP 39. If Golkar refuses to join, there's the Democrat and PPP. End of argument. At the DPR, it's just a matter of approaching them.
Can so many parties join up when Jokowi prefers a trim but effective coalition?
We have a presidential system. No matter what the percentages, the government cannot be obstructed. However, if others want to join after that (the election), the method would be different. Let's not talk about seats yet.
On your victory chances, when were you sure that you would win, given that your electability declined significantly?
Five things happened in the last week prior to the voting. Perhaps that's when the 5 percent difference between the two contenders happened. Of the five incidents, three were sheer effort, the two others were 'suicide goals'.
What did you do to raise your ratings?
First, we organized the 'Two-Finger Salute' concert at Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan. The amazing impact of that fabulous concert was nationwide, especially among young people. Second, we advertized our nine major programs in a big way. Third, the last debate clinched it (where Jokowi-Kalla rated highly).
What about the suicide goal?
First, Fahri Hamzah's comment about Jokowi being crazy for establishing a Santri Day, upsetting all santri (students of Islam) throughout Java. Second, the issue of Kalpataru (an environmental award) during the debate (when Hatta Rajasa confused Kalpataru with the Adipura award). It became a national joke.
That's not a suicide goal.
(Laughing). It's the goal I stole from them, and kicked it into the net. Those five issues had an impact (on our ratings). Ten days before polling day, pollster SMRC director Saiful Mujani had both contenders at 0.5-1 percent. We were getting pretty nervous. Fortunately, those five incidents changed things around.
Which one was most impactful?
It's difficult to measure, but in the final analysis I think it was the big concert and the debate, because they had nationwide impact.
What are other key indicators of a victory?
I am a Muri record holder, having run in the presidential elections three times. The others have done it only twice. I know the difference between the elections of 2004, 2009 and this year's. In 2004, it was gatherings and advertising. In 2009, social media began to play a role and there were the debates. In 2014, there were almost no gatherings, mostly dialogues. Social media played a big role in today's election.
What about the volunteers?
Yes, also the volunteers. Ours are spontaneous, not mobilized. From that alone, we are convinced of a victory. (*)
