{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1687101,
        "msgid": "projo-debates-jusuf-kallas-statement-on-jokowi-1776606799",
        "date": "2026-04-19 19:31:00",
        "title": "Projo Debates Jusuf Kalla's Statement on Jokowi",
        "author": "",
        "source": "TEMPO_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla claimed credit for Joko Widodo's rise to the presidency, sparking a rebuttal from Projo, a pro-Jokowi community organisation, which emphasised that Jokowi's success stemmed from collective national efforts and his own track record rather than any single individual's role. Projo's Secretary General, Freddy Alex Damanik, respected Kalla's contributions to the 2014 election but rejected simplifying the victory to one person's influence, highlighting the importance of volunteers, political parties, and public trust. Kalla, expressing frustration at being discredited, recounted advising PDIP leader Megawati Soekarnoputri against nominating the inexperienced Jokowi, underscoring ongoing debates about key figures in Indonesian political history.",
        "content": "<p>Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that he played a role in\nJoko Widodo\u2019s journey to becoming the 7th President. That statement by\nKalla was debated by Projo, a community organisation supporting\nJokowi.<\/p>\n<p>Projo\u2019s Secretary General, Freddy Alex Damanik, said his organisation\nrespects Kalla. According to Freddy, Kalla made a real contribution\nduring the 2014 Presidential Election when the Jokowi-JK pair won\nagainst Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa.<\/p>\n<p>However, Projo rejects the claim that Jokowi\u2019s victory in the\npresidential election was due to the role of one individual alone.\nFreddy claimed that Jokowi became president due to the will of the\nIndonesian people. \u201cOur democracy is not built on the role of one\nindividual, but on the collective work of various elements of the\nnation,\u201d said Freddy in a written statement on Sunday, 19 April\n2026.<\/p>\n<p>Freddy stated that Jokowi\u2019s success cannot be separated from his\ntrack record. \u201cHis leadership, which was born from the bottom, real\nwork, and closeness to the people, these factors are the main foundation\nof public trust,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, he highlighted the role of volunteer organisations to\npolitical parties in winning Jokowi. Freddy also asked that the process\nnot be simplified.<\/p>\n<p>In a press conference on Saturday, Jusuf Kalla vented his frustration\ntowards parties who often discredit his relationship with Jokowi. JK\nreminded of his vital role in bringing Jokowi to the national political\nstage. \u201cTell everyone that the origin is me. Jokowi became President\nbecause of me. Agree? Agree. Without a governor, how could he become\npresident,\u201d said JK at his residence in South Jakarta on Saturday, 18\nApril 2026.<\/p>\n<p>JK also questioned the decision of PDIP General Chairman Megawati\nSoekarnoputri to nominate Jokowi. He recounted his experience when asked\nby Megawati to accompany Jokowi in the 2014 Presidential Election.<\/p>\n<p>According to JK, Jokowi did not yet have enough experience to be\nassigned as head of state. \u201cOnly two years as Governor (of Jakarta),\u201d\nsaid Kalla during the press conference at his home in the South Jakarta\narea on Saturday, 18 April 2026.<\/p>\n<p>JK once advised the general chairman of the bull party to reconsider\nnominating the former Solo Mayor. \u201cNot enough experience yet, it will\nruin this country,\u201d said this 10th and 12th period vice president.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/projo-debates-jusuf-kallas-statement-on-jokowi-1776606799",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}