Jusuf Kalla on Leadership Style of Soeharto, SBY, and Jokowi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During an event held by the State Administration Agency (LAN) in Central Jakarta, Tuesday, March 5, Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK)was asked about the difference of the leadership style of three Indonesian Presidents; Soeharto, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), and Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

“In your opinion, with this national and global condition, who–among our three presidents–has the best leadership style to lead this country?” an audience asked, followed by loud cheers from others.

Kalla instantly smiled hearing the question and admitted it was a tough one. He also questioned why the other two presidents, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur and Megawati Soekarnoputri, were not mentioned.

Kalla reiterated that each leader has his own leadership style on his own era. During the era of Soeharto, the democracy system run smoothly in the beginning yet the condition dropped post nepotism practices.

“Then, the crisis emerged, and in that condition, Pak Harto become more authoritarian,” Kalla said, adding that such leadership style was similar in ASEAN countries at that time; Soeharto, Mahathir Mohamad (Malaysia), Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore), and Ferdinand Marcos (the Philippines).

That was different than SBY’s leadership style, said Kalla who accompanied the latter as the vice president in the early era. Having a background as the Indonesian Military (TNI) officer, SBY could apply better democracy system. “He [SBY] played a huge role during the very open process of the democratic transition.”

Kalla assessed that among the three country leaders, the leadership style of Jokowi was the most ideal for the future. Jokowi considerably able to actualize democratic leadership without nepotism act.

“He [Jokowi] holds a meeting for every problem in the Cabinet.” So the total meeting in a year could reach more than 200 times, Kalla said.

The vice president opined that President Jokowi was keen to study as the latter always asked for opinions from secretaries-general or ministry’s director generals. Also, Jokowi did not involve his relatives in the country’s affairs. His sons chose to be entrepreneurs rather than followed him in politics.

Jusuf Kalla said that he had long engaged in five presidential leadership. “So the conclusion is each president has his own strengths and weaknesses.”

EGI ADYATAMA