In his speech, SBY calls JK 'my buddy'

Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi | Tue, 03/23/2010 4:53 PM

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono began his speech that marked the opening of Nahdlatul Ulama congress in Makassar on Tuesday with a greeting to his former deputy Jusuf Kalla, calling him "my buddy".

Yudhoyono was speaking in front of 4,500 nahdliyins (NU followers) participating in the 32nd congress that will elect the new chairman of the country’s largest Muslim organization.

"First of all, I would like to thank my buddy Jusuf Kalla and his wife," Yudhoyono said, to the applause of the audience. Kalla, who is an NU member, gave a big smile as he was seated at the front row.

Kalla was the vice president during Yudhoyono's first tenure from 2004 to 2009.

At the end of his tenure, Yudhoyono chose Bank Indonesia governor Boediono over Golkar Party chairman Kalla to run for his second presidential term. After losing the presidential race, Kalla assumed the chief post at the Indonesian Red Cross.

Months before the 2009 legislative election, speculation was rife that relationship between Yudhoyono and Kalla worsened.

Kalla also opposes the Bank Century bailout, a decision which Yudhoyono has strongly defended.