When Jusuf Kalla became President Susilo Bamabang Yudhoyono's No. 2 man, for better or worse, he broke the mold of traditional vice presidents. Kalla was not just the ceremonial deputy head of state, but he was an active deputy head of government.
When Boediono was nominated as vice president, the same questions arose: An understated complement or a dynamic counterpart?
Every administration has its *insiders'.
The men surrounding the president, the fraternity filtering information and setting the Cabinet's groupthink, the person ministers go to when they seek presidential favor.
Even before the Cabinet was sworn in last week attention though was not fixed on Boediono but on the movements of Yudhoyono's silver-haired confidante Hatta Radjasa.
Presidential signals predicted not to watch the Yudhoyono-Boediono tandem on this point, but the exploits of a man who has risen as the most important political operator in the new government.
Hatta is the political fox who probably knows as much, if not more than others, as to Yudhoyono's political ambitions, compromises and perhaps even skeletons, and therefore can command technical execution of policy priorities.
Like Moerdiono who deciphered President Soeharto's *veiled directives' in the 1990s, or Sudharmono in the 1980s who made sure the government functioned properly for Soeharto, Hatta now does a little of both.
His rise is a measured escalation of confidence and trust.
He was once regarded the most likely minister to lose his job in the first United Indonesia Cabinet due to the string of transport accidents occurring while serving as transportation minister, but Hatta cemented his presence in the Yudhoyono circle when he moved to become State Secretary in 2007.
The 55-year-old successfully managed Yudhoyono's re-election campaign earlier this year and was one of four principal participants in the small team putting together the Cabinet.
He and current State Secretary Sudi Silalahi knew a month in advance their own roles in Cabinet.
His relationship with Sudi, another close confidante of the President, is perhaps an example of just how well Hatta works.
While developing himself as an effective lobbyist, Hatta has done so without making long-standing enemies and discarded the usually *threatening' veneer an influential politician projects.
Not one to flaunt power, Hatta himself has repeatedly underplayed his role saying that he merely executes the President's wishes. Nevertheless he has been the President's voice and first filter of information on many critical political and state issues.
Whether the commotion surrounding the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), contacts with political parties, or the summoning of candidates to Yudho-yono's residence, Hatta was at the forefront of these political communications.
Expect Hatta to augment his own power base in the coming months. With no other viable candidate in the wings, and having secured the blessing of party founder Amien Rais, Hatta - who is secretary-general of the National Mandate Party - is a shoe-in as its chairman.
Not surprisingly many are beginning to suggest this new government is not a Yudhoyono-Boediono Cabinet, but a Yudhoyono-Hatta one.
Whether or not Hatta restricts himself to his portfolio as coordinating minister for the economy is one indicator on his future role.
The potential overlap with Kuntoro Mangkusubroto who heads the newly established Presidential Unit for the Management of Reform Programs (UKP3R) will underline the role and clout he develops.
The President on Friday said the head of the unit "if necessary, will be my eyes, my ears and my hands" with responsibilities that will not overlap with the coordinating ministers.
The dynamics between Hatta and Kuntoro - who is respected throughout the Cabinet, close with Boediono and well acquainted with the likes of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani - will indicate how serious Yudhoyono is with his reform plans.
The idea of the Presidential Unit existed during the first Cabinet, but reportedly was shot down by Kalla who felt uncomfortable and feared an overlap of responsibilities.
With Kalla out of the picture, it is Kuntoro's unit that will function as a prod to ensure that programs are carried out.
If not, then Hatta could well play Kalla's role as policy provocateur and Cabinet whip.
A silver-haired fox in Western popular culture is usually referred to as the alluring older gentlemen everyone is keen on.
But in Kung-Fu films, the silver fox is usually the powerful white-haired or bearded rogue who is difficult to overcome.
Which fox will emerge?
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