Head of the Central Board of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI),\nAhmad Ali, assessed Jusuf Kalla\u2019s statement regarding Joko Widodo as too\nemotional. Previously, JK stated that Jokowi became president thanks to\nhis help.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Ali refrained from confirming or condemning the statement. He\ndescribed it as inappropriate because both Jusuf Kalla and Jokowi were\nrunning mate candidates at the time, each contributing to the\npresidential election victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr JK is like my elder brother in the Indonesian Muslim Students\u2019\nAssociation (HMI). But it\u2019s also inaccurate for Mr JK to claim that he\nmade Jokowi win. I think that\u2019s too emotional. Because it was teamwork\nas running mates, right?\u201d said Ahmad Ali when contacted by Tempo on\nSunday, 19 April 2026.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Ali also dismissed allegations that Jokowi was behind the\npolice report against Jusuf Kalla regarding suspected blasphemy. He\nstated that PSI had no connection to the report against Jusuf Kalla. \u201cI\ncan assure you 1000% that Mr Jokowi is not involved in this matter. I\nassure you 1000% that PSI is not part of this matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jusuf Kalla\u2019s statement emerged amid his entanglement in the\ncontroversy over Jokowi\u2019s allegedly fake diploma. He was accused by\nRismon Hasiholan Sianipar of giving Rp 5 billion to Roy Suryo and\nassociates related to attacks on Jokowi\u2019s diploma.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Jusuf Kalla was reported by the Indonesian Christian\nYouth Movement (GAMKI), led by Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat, who is a PSI\ncadre.<\/p>\n
PSI is a party closely associated with Jokowi. Jokowi\u2019s youngest son,\nKaesang Pangarep, is the general chairman of the party with the elephant\nsymbol. Jokowi\u2019s name has even been mentioned as potentially filling the\nposition of PSI\u2019s advisory board chairman.<\/p>\n
In a press conference yesterday, Jusuf Kalla vented his frustration\ntowards parties that frequently discredit his relationship with\nJokowi.<\/p>\n
JK recalled his vital role in bringing Jokowi to the national\npolitical stage. \u201cTell everyone that the bottom line is that Jokowi\nbecame President because of me. Agree? Agree. Without a governor, how\ncould he become president,\u201d said JK at his residence in South Jakarta on\nSaturday, 18 April 2026.<\/p>\n
JK also questioned the decision of PDI Perjuangan General Chairman\nMegawati Soekarnoputri to nominate Jokowi. He recounted his experience\nwhen Mega asked him to accompany Joko Widodo in the 2014 presidential\nelection.<\/p>\n
According to JK, Jokowi lacked sufficient experience to be assigned\nas head of state.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had only been Governor (of Jakarta) for two years,\u201d said Kalla\nduring the press conference at his home in the South Jakarta area on\nSaturday, 18 April 2026.<\/p>\n
JK once advised the general chairman of the bull party to reconsider\nnominating the former Solo Mayor. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t have enough experience; it\nwill ruin the country,\u201d said this vice president of the 10th and 12th\nperiods.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psi-deems-jusuf-kallas-statement-about-jokowi-too-emotional-1776585043", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }