Analyst Says 'Jokowi Effect' Will Face New Challenges
Jakarta, KOMPAS.com - The Executive Director of Voxpol Center Research and Consulting, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, believes that the ‘Jokowi effect’ in upcoming contests will not be the same as in previous periods. This is because public sentiment towards the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia is now different, which will be a challenge for the Solidarity Indonesia Party (PSI).
According to Pangi, the public is now critical of and evaluating the results of Jokowi’s work over the past 10 years.
“In fact, today people are cursing, downgrading, and condemning Jokowi on social media. So, let’s see, it’s just an effort, it’s okay, it’s just a belief, let’s try, hopefully it will be successful,” said Pangi to Kompas.com, Friday (15/5/2026).
However, he reminded that leveraging Jokowi’s name is not a guarantee of achieving maximum results in the general election.
He pointed to PSI in the 2024 election, which promoted “Jokowism”, but failed to meet the parliamentary threshold and failed to get into the DPR.
“(PSI didn’t pass) Because maybe Jokowi hasn’t come down from the mountain yet. Now, he said that Jokowi will directly campaign 24 hours a day without sleep from Sabang to Merauke. Greeting, shaking hands, meeting face-to-face with the Indonesian people,” said Pangi.
“As far as we can see, the Jokowi effect is greater than the Projo or PSI effect, so the PSI’s dependence on Projo and Jokowi is still strong, relatively high,” said Pangi.
Previously, Jokowi stated his readiness and willingness to go down to the community to the sub-district level to win PSI. This was done by Jokowi to build and strengthen PSI’s network and structure to the lowest levels of society.
“If necessary, I have to come, I am still capable. I am still capable of coming to the provinces, all provinces. I am still capable of coming to the regencies/cities, if necessary, even to the sub-district level, I am still capable,” Jokowi said at the PSI National Working Meeting at the Claro Hotel, Jl AP Pettarani, Makassar, Saturday (31/1/2026).
He emphasized that the strength of a political party lies in a strong, vibrant, and working structure in the community.
In addition to strengthening the structure, Jokowi highlighted the importance of the militancy of the administrators and cadres in growing PSI.
“If you work hard for PSI, I will also work hard for PSI. If you work your hardest for PSI, I will also work my hardest,” Jokowi said.
KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, trustworthy, and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of clear journalism and enjoy comfortable reading without ads through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.