JK Refuses The Brand of "Spare Tire"

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The position of vice president is being wrongly compared to a "spare tire" because the vice president actually assists the president in his tasks, outgoing Vice President Jusuf Kalla said here on Monday.
"In my opinion, it is wrong to say that the vice presidential position is just like a ’spare tire’ in a car. If it is true, then it is a matter of time for the tire to leak or burst," Kalla said at a function to hand in a memory book on the vice presidential position to Vice President-elect Boediono at the vice presidential office here on Monday.
It was the first ever official function attended by outgoing Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Vice Presiden-elect Boediono. The vice president explained further that based on the 1945 Constitution, the president, in carrying out his tasks, is to be assisted by the vice president.

According to Kalla, it was also wrong to say that by helping to get things done for the president, the vice president was functioning like a "servant." He said if he wanted to help someone by getting him or her some drink, it did not mean that he was a servant.

Therefore, Kalla reiterated that the vice-presidency was not comparable to a spare tire in a car. "Perhaps it is more correct to say that the vice presidential position is like a co-driver who can remind the driver to turn right or turn left," Kalla said, adding that if the vice president was said to be a mere spare tire, it was a violation of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Boediono said on the occasion that he admired Jusuf Kalla for his ability in taking effective actions. "Thank you, I now have been reminded not to become a spare tire," Boediono said, admitting that during his interaction with Kalla, the latter was good at making the situation lively.