Indonesian Leader Communication Style at Idul Fitri

Both President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia had try to communicate with their constituent through different communication style commemorating Idul Fitri, one of the most significant holy day for Muslim. At the first day of Idul Fitri 1428 H. (13/10), President General (ret.) Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono organized open house in Presidential Palace for his family, bureaucrats, diplomats, and public. Several day after, on Wednesday (17/10) he visited Kampung Rambutan bus terminal on incidental inspection. Afterwards, he went to Indonesian State Police headquarters to hear reports from police about traffic control. FYI Indonesian peoples have unique tradition called "mudik" (back to homeland) because many Indonesian are local migrants (from village to city). When this holiday came, at least once in a year they back to homeland and this activity cause full traffic in every mode of transportation.

In the other side, Vice President Drs. Jusuf Kalla looked more attractive with his actions. He gave exclusive interview for Metro TV as the only one news television in Indonesia. This exclusive interview broadcasted he and his family gathered at that Islamic holiday at his house. Beside that, at the first day of Idul Fitri after Id praying (13/10), he also organized open house at his official residence for public and bureaucrats. But Indonesian watching his move in the when he went to several Indonesian former leaders. At the first day of Idul Fitri, he visited ex-President Megawati Soekarnoputri, ex-President K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid, and ex-President Prof. Dr. Ing. B.J. Habibie. He continued this rally at the second day of Idul Fitri (14/10),whenever he visited ex Vice President General (ret.) Try Sutrisno, ex-longest President Great General (ret.) H.M. Suharto, ex-Indonesian House of Representative Chairman Ir. Akbar Tandjung, Indonesian Supreme Court Chairman Prof. Bagir Manan, and Constitution Court Chairman Prof. Jimly Ashiddique. What I questioned about this rally is Kalla's decision to visit new Governor of DKI Jakarta (Greater Jakarta Special Capital Province) Dr.Ing. H. Fauzi Bowo whose notabene his undirect staff. This action is unusual for Indonesian culture.

Rumours spread amongst politician that Kalla's move done as the preparation for next Presidential election at 2009. But Kalla himself refused that opinion and said that only usual visiting to honor former leader of the nation.

However, they have choose their own way to communicate their care and participation in this most significant holy day for Indonesian peoples, considerate most of Indonesian people are Muslim (Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world. It has approximately 190 million Muslim.) They try to put each of them as good leader who had big respect to religion, as Indonesia is religious -although have secular national principle- country. This communication action hopefully will boost support for each of them from Indonesian peoples, especially from their constituent at general election.