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His Excellency Jusuf Kalla served as the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, completing his last term in 2019 after previously holding the same office from 2004 to 2009. He was born on May 15, 1942, in Watampone, South Sulawesi, into the prominent business family of Hadji Kalla, a well-known Bugis entrepreneur.
After earning a degree in Economics from Hasanuddin University in 1967, Kalla began working in the family company, NV Hadji Kalla (today known as Kalla Group). In 1977, he furthered his studies by attending an executive program at INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. By 1986, he had taken over the company’s leadership and successfully diversified it into numerous sectors, including trade, automotive, construction, energy, telecommunications, shipping, and agriculture.
Alongside his business career, Jusuf Kalla pursued politics and public service, starting as a member of the South Sulawesi Provincial People’s Representative Council (DPRD) in 1965. Nationally, he was appointed Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Indonesian Bureau of Logistics in 1999 under President Abdurrahman Wahid. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare in President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s cabinet. In the 2004 elections, he ran with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, winning and later serving as Vice President until 2009.
Beyond politics, Jusuf Kalla has also been active in international organizations, including serving as Chairman of Centrist Asia Pacific Democrat International (2010–2012) and Coordinator of the Southeast Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent (2010–2011). He is currently the Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross.
Jusuf Kalla is recognized as a political figure actively involved in humanitarian efforts. He has served as a mediator in several conflicts in Indonesia and has played an important role in shaping the country’s relations with other nations.Renowned for his role as a peacemaker in Indonesia, he has received numerous national and international honors. Among them is the Star of the Republic of Indonesia (2004), the nation’s highest decoration for extraordinary service to the country.
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