Former vice president teaches children how to lead

Hundreds of children raised their hands to ask Jusuf Kalla questions at a launch of a comic book on the former vice president’s leadership style at Trans Studio Atrium in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.

Kalla, more popularly known as JK, was at the launch of a comic book titled Yuk, Belajar dari Pak JK Menjadi Pemimpin Yang Baik, or Let’s Learn How to Be a Good
Leader from Pak JK.

The comic, which is aimed at children, explores the leadership style of Kalla, who was born in South Sulawesi and was the country’s 10th vice president and former chairman of the Golkar Party from 2004-2009.

Children from several elementary schools in Makassar asked Kalla questions on graft and corruption, culture, different facilities in several regions in Indonesia, school fees and the prices of books.

Many wanted to know who Kalla idolized and what was his strategy for achieving success as a leader.

Students at the event looked happy to hear Kalla, who could not answer all the students’ questions due to time constraints.

Kalla, who currently chairs the Indonesian Red Cross, ASEAN Red Cross and ASEAN Red Crescent, appeared content with the dialogue.

“The children could think on their feet and were spontaneous and were enthusiastic about asking questions. They must receive definite answers,” Kalla said.

During the dialogue, a girl asked about education and books, which she said were expensive.

Kalla answered her with a question and asked how much she paid for school. The girl said she did not need to pay for school.

He then asked if her school had a library and the girl responded affirmatively.

“Then borrow the books from the library… you don’t need to buy books. It’s cheap, isn’t it?” Kalla said.

Another student asked Kalla how he decided on a strategy to become vice president.

Kalla said that a leader should be smart, resolute, honest and just. A leader must also be a role model for people or for those he leads, he added.

“A person must be smart, honest, resolute and just, even to become a leader in class room,” he said.

Kalla said that students must study diligently and warned them not to waste time in idle play with their eyes glued to television screens and gaming consoles.

Students needed to be committed to religion to become good leaders, he added.

Responding to another question on his trip, Kalla said that he was helping the local administration
office prepare to build a library for children, equipped with a reading park.

Kalla, who critiqued the nation’s troubled kerosene-to-gas conversion program while in office, still faced myriad questions from students from other schools who had sent him hundreds of letters with questions.

He said all questions and complaints from children must be heard “because from those questions and complaints, useful ideas may arise.”

The children were also advised to read the comic book to know more about Kalla.

The comic, which was written by Husain Abdullah and edited by Yugha Erlangga, aims to provide children with entertaining and inspirational reading material.

“Children will have their own perceptions of how a leader should behave. Some say a leader must be resolute and smart. Others say that a leader must be honest, well-mannered and just,” Kalla said.