M. Taufiqurrahman, 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.