Analyst Says Jokowi's Political Safari Unlikely to Boost PSI and Gibran's Electability

Political communication analyst from Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, has assessed that the series of political safaris initiated by Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) from Lampung Province will struggle to deliver a significant electoral impact for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) or Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He believes the regional tour was designed as an effort to maintain the political dynasty’s relevance on the national stage through figures like Gibran and Kaesang Pangarep, but the response on the ground suggests a different outcome. ‘Looking at the visit to Lampung, the hope of boosting electability seems far-fetched. Throughout the agenda there, public enthusiasm to welcome the former president was practically non-existent,’ Jamiluddin said in a statement on Tuesday. The former Dean of FIKOM IISIP Jakarta highlighted the stark contrast with the 2019 Presidential Election, when Lampung served as a stronghold that delivered 59.57 percent of the vote to Jokowi. In contrast, during this political safari, most residents were observed going about their normal routines without any organic mass mobilisation, and the visit was even marked by a demonstration of rejection from a group of local women. Jamiluddin believes this reality indicates that the level of trust and political charm once attached to Jokowi has declined, and his personal influence is no longer dominant in directing the political choices of civil society. ‘Jokowi is no longer a political magnet that can hypnotise people to follow his will. He is now like an ordinary citizen without political power. Therefore, hoping Jokowi can help deliver PSI to Senayan is a relatively small chance. PSI will likely only receive disappointment,’ he said. Furthermore, Jamiluddin assessed that the lukewarm reception to Jokowi’s Lampung safari will also make it difficult to boost Gibran’s electability. He described Jokowi’s political safari as akin to gambling and full of speculation to satisfy his political desires. ‘Jokowi might end up with more liabilities than assets. If this happens, Jokowi’s political ambition could be greater than the electoral gains for PSI and Gibran. This could potentially end the Jokowi political dynasty in national politics,’ he concluded. Jokowi began his political safari in Lampung Province on Friday, 26 June 2026, visiting various areas including Central Lampung to attend an MSME Festival. During the three-day visit, Jokowi was seen wearing a white shirt and a PSI logo cap, accompanied by party officials.