Ahmad Ali on When Jokowi Will Join PSI

Daily Chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Central Executive Board, Ahmad Ali, has stated that former President Jokowi has repeatedly expressed support for PSI. This support has included visiting several regions to meet with PSI cadres. However, Ali could not confirm when Jokowi would formally join the party or what position he would be given. “The decision on Jokowi’s position is not my authority,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Previously, PSI Central Executive Board Political Chair Bestari Barus confirmed that Jokowi would join PSI. However, the symbolic granting of a position awaits the decision of PSI General Chair Kaesang Pangarep. “As for the symbolic aspect, be patient. There will be a time. It will later be the domain of our General Chair, Kaesang Pangarep,” he said when contacted on Friday, 19 June 2026. Barus considers Jokowi a patron of PSI, especially given his repeated electoral victories. “I think that is worthy of being an example,” he said.

Jokowi has responded to statements from PSI elites suggesting he will soon don the party’s jacket, which bears a gajah symbol. PSI plans to introduce Jokowi as the chair of their advisory board. Jokowi stated that the process of joining a political party cannot be done instantly and must follow the party’s internal mechanisms. “At PSI, there is a party mechanism that must be followed, not just putting on the jacket directly,” he told reporters during an impromptu interview after Friday prayers in Solo on Friday, 19 June 2026.

Nevertheless, the former Mayor of Solo confirmed he will attend various invitations he receives, including those from PSI. He emphasised his commitment to remaining involved in several of the party’s activities. “The most important thing is that the invitations I receive from the community, from PSI, I will attend all of them later,” he said. When asked about his capacity when attending PSI agendas, whether as an advisory board member or in a specific party structural position, Jokowi did not give a firm answer. He only mentioned he would attend as a motivator. “As what… as a motivator,” he said. Jokowi also reiterated his support for PSI, stating that this commitment had been conveyed in several of the party’s previous forums. “Yes, as I have already said at the congress, at the national working meeting, I will work tirelessly for PSI,” he stated.