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Kalla congratulates Obama, gets lessons learned for RI
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 11/05/2008 2:07 PM | US Presidential Election 2008
Vice President Jusuf Kalla congratulated U.S. president-elect Barack Obama who won over McCain in the U.S. presidential election."As we expected and hoped, Senator Barack Obama won the election. Therefore we congratulate him," Kalla said, as quoted by Antara news agency.
With Obama's election as U.S. president, Kalla said, there should be no more discrimination against minorities. And, in the U.S., minorities can assume positions of authority.
"This phenomena teaches us all that ethnicity, race and other labels are not important. What matters is our capability," Kalla said.
Kalla is himself a Bugi from South Sulawesi. He commands the country's largest political organization Golkar Party. But many believe he will not run for president in next year's elections because he is not from the majority ethnic group in Indonesia, Javanese. (rid)
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Amie Dreem (not verified) — Tue, 11/18/2008 - 1:27am
Congratulations Obama! In this moment I would like to be American to have a President like you!
Hari Soepangkat (not verified) — Mon, 11/10/2008 - 5:47pm
Yusuf Kalla has got his own ambition and therefore he stressed that "some lesson was learnt" from Obama's victory in US presidential election.
But the fact is, it may take another 50 or 100 years before a Balinese fellow (A Mr. Made or Ketut) or a Dayak fellow, or even a Papua fellow will get a fair and equal chance to be elected as the president of Indonesia. Yusuf Kalla will never have a chance to become the President of Indonesia.
We are a Muslim country with very low average level of education. Perhaps we will never get there. When we can get rid of corruption and have a clean government, then we will talk about minority rights. Right now, let's just have a dream and hope that our Muslim society will learn that corruption is favored by Shaitan and not Allah.
Bm-Lontoh (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:31am
would be very difficult...
it might take decades...
but I guess, someone should just try to be one...
Jochen Huelss (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 6:21am
@lain #4
In my opinion you are completely right, the way of congratulation of the vice president is a little.. yeah not the finest way of governance. It sounds a little bit rude and arrogant, actually as a consequence of it he has to add: 'If McCain had won, we wouldn't congrats him, because we didn't expect and hope it.'
To the issue, if Obama, as a member of a minority, has had a chance to be succeed in Indonesia I want to add that there was never a real movement that deeply moved and effected all Indonesians on a same measure. Maybe if there is a real leader of an entire national movement, it doesn't matter from which minority or majority he/she comes.
But maybe I'm still a too short period in this country to rank it realistic. But without a accepted leader who cares for all the people in Indonesia, there won't be such a change as we can observe in America.
I'm a German guy.. what to expect from the presidency of Obama?
Praisca Yudianto (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 9:16am
In Indonesia, maybe very difficult for Chinese or non-Muslim to become president i think. As i know that majority in Indonesia is Muslim. Probably, can but it's very difficult. SBY as president in Indonesia also say congratulation to U.S president elect - Barack Obama. I never know before, that Obama once in Indonesia for 4 years. i want also want to say congratulation to Obama...
Budianto (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:55am
Its so sad to know that if Obama has stayed and not left Indonesia, he would not be able to make such achievement in our country today. Worse still, he would inherit our national culture "No, we can't".
Henry (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:03am
it's about time Indonesia abolish law that only allow indigineous to become President.
Iain (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 3:43am
Clearly Kalla's comments show the lack of maturity for a government;
"As we expected and hoped, Senator Barack Obama won the election..."
What did George Bush ever do against Indonesia? Clearly Kalla is unappreciative of the Bush administration's contributions to Indonesia's development over the last 8 years (mostly financial). Sure, Bush is an idiot, but Kalla should know proper political behaviour.
Be careful what what you wish for Jusuf, Democrats are less forgiving on human rights issues in Indonesia than what the Republicans are.
Carl Nilson (not verified) — Wed, 11/05/2008 - 4:53pm
Does this mean that someday also in Indonesia it will become possible to become president for for instance a non-Muslim, a Chinese Indonesian or even a mixed Indo-European?