Kalla warns Boediono not act as the ‘spare tire’

Outgoing Vice President Jusuf Kalla warned vice president-elect Boediono not to act as a “spare tire” in undertaking his tasks, but to be a sparring partner for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

A “spare tire” is cynical nickname given to the position of vice president.

“If he becomes the ‘spare tire,’ Pak Boediono will be violating the Constitution,” Kalla said.

By acting as spare tire, the vice president would wait for orders and not act independently.
Kalla insisted that his pro-active work in the last five years had not been aimed at competing with Yudhoyono but to help the President run the government.

“But I am not the helper; I accompany the President to undertake the task,” Kalla said.
Responding to Kalla’s statement, Boediono calmly said he may have a different approach to Kalla in leading the vice presidential office.

“It would be impossible for me to fully duplicate Pak Kalla’s leadership style …. I have been predestined with a different approach in strategy and management,” Boediono said.

“However, we share the same goal to develop the country.”