Jusuf Kalla: The Father of Peace and the Mosque Economy

Drs Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, a prominent South Sulawesi businessman, has made his mark in the national business world. Born in Watampone, Bone on May 15, 1942, to businessman Haji Kalla and Athirah, his childhood was spent in his homeland. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to Makassar, where his parents bought a shophouse to live in as well as a place of business by trading fabrics. Coming from a family of merchants, Jusuf Kalla, who is of Bugis descent, has been familiar with the business world since childhood. 

After earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Hasanuddin University's Faculty of Economics, Jusuf Kalla was appointed to manage NV Hadji Kalla Trading Company, a produce company in 1967. In 1969, when he was newly appointed as a car marketing agent, Jusuf Kalla won the tender for the procurement of vehicles for the South Sulawesi Governor's Office, and at that time controlled more than 50% of the car market in Eastern Indonesia. His business field continued to expand into the world of contractors PT Bumi Karsa, trusted to build several airports in Eastern Indonesia, up to several Soekarno-Hatta Airport projects. PT Bukaka Agro produced animal feed and shrimp in 1976, PT Bukaka Meat managed the frozen meat and fish industry. 

In 1978 his business began to expand outside Sulawesi establishing PT Bukaka Teknik Utama in West Java, In the 1990s established PT Bumi Sarana Utama bulk asphalt agent, PT Baruga Asrinusa Development in the housing sector, and PT Kalla Inti Karsa. In the field of transportation established Cahaya Bone, PT Bukaka Lintastama and PT Kalla Lines. In 1995, Kalla Group became a business conglomerate in eastern Indonesia, covering transportation services, telecommunications, fisheries, property, plantations, fisheries, automotive, and others. 

Jusuf Kalla's thinking reflects a pragmatic and results-oriented approach. First, Infrastructure development is the driving force of the economy, good infrastructure can improve connectivity and economic efficiency. Second, entrepreneurship development is one way to reduce poverty and create jobs. Third, economic and social development must go hand in hand with efforts to improve people's welfare. Fourth, political and economic stability is key to sustainable growth and development. Fifth, natural resources must be managed wisely and sustainably to ensure long-term benefits for the country and society through investment in technology and innovation to increase productivity. Sixth, collaborative Public-Private partnerships as a way of optimizing resources and expertise from both sectors in development and investment projects.

Jusuf Kalla is also known as a conflict resolution expert in Indonesia. His role in resolving conflicts is not only domestic but also overseas. Domestically, Jusuf Kalla played an important role in resolving conflicts in Poso, Ambon, Aceh, and Papua. In 2009, after ending his term as Vice President of Indonesia, he became a peace mediator in Thailand, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.

His efforts and success in reconciling conflicts led him to be named the Father of Peace by organizations and educational institutions, both from within and outside the country. The title of Mr. Peace Indonesia from the Islamic University of Malang (2015), as the father of world peace inspiration for Indonesian youth from the Indonesia Youth Forum (2019), and several awards from universities abroad such as Thailand and Japan.

Jusuf Kalla is also known as a figure who is good at resolving conflicts in Indonesia and received several honorary Doctor Honoris Causa (HC) degrees in peace from Soka University Japan (2009), Syah Kuala University (2011) and Universiti Malaya (2007), in entrepreneurship education from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (2011), in political economy from Hasanuddin University (2011), in economic and business thinking from Brawijaya University (2011), in leadership from Universitas Indonesia (2013) and the Hamengku Buwono IX award from Gadjah Mada University (2019).

From the Indonesian government, Jusuf Kalla was awarded the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipradana, and Bintang Mahaputra Adipura (2004). Jusuf Kalla also received the highest award of the main service star The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese Government, for having contributed greatly to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Indonesia and Japan.

Jusuf Kalla is also active in the social sector, among others as Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (2009-2014), Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Council of Mosques (2012-2017) and currently as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economists (IAEI).