His Excellency Mr. Jusuf Kalla served as the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia leaving office in 2019. Previously, he held the position from 2004 to 2009. Mr. Kalla was born in Watampone, South Sulawesi, on 15th of May 1942 in the big family of Hadji Kalla, a successful businessman from Bugis.
Soon after he graduated in Economics from the University of Hasanuddin in 1967, Mr. Kalla started his career in the private sector by joining the family business, the NV (Namlozee Venonchamp) Hadji Kalla, now widely known as the Kalla Group. In 1977, he attended an executive programme at the INSEAD International Business School in Fontainebleau, Paris, France.
After some years working in the family business, Mr. Kalla took over the Group in 1986, and successfully expanded its business sectors from exports and imports to manufacturing, automotive, construction, palm oil, shipping, real estate, transportation, shrimp farming, telecommunications, and energy and electricity sectors.
While building his career in the private sector, Mr. Kalla also demonstrated a strong interest in politics and public service when he joined the Provincial People’s Representative Council (DPRD) of South Sulawesi in 1965.
In 1999, Mr. Kalla was appointed by President Abdurrahman Wahid as the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Indonesia as well as the Chairman of the Indonesian Bureau of Logistics until the year 2000. From 2001 to 2004, he served the country as the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare under President Megawati Soekarnoputri. As the running mate of Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Mr. Kalla won the 2004 Presidential election, and was sworn in as the 2004-2009 Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.
Besides being a politician, Mr. Kalla has also played an active leadership role in various organisations.
He had also served as the Chairman of Centrist Asia Pacific Democrat International (2010-2012) as well as the Coordinator of the Southeast Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent (2010-2011). Mr. Kalla now concurrently serves as the Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross.
Among his many achievements, Mr. Kalla has received international recognition and praise for his notable role as peace maker in Indonesia.
For his dedication and contribution to the public welfare of Indonesia, Mr. Kalla has been awarded numerous national, international, government and community honours. In 2004, he was awarded the Star of the Republic of Indonesia, which is the highest decoration awarded by the Indonesian Government for extraordinary service to the country.
