Bestari Urges Jokowi to Publicly Declare PSI Membership

PSI DPP Chairman Bestari Barus hopes that Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, will soon publicly announce his membership in the party. Bestari suggested that Jokowi could make the announcement during his upcoming visits to several regions. “We have also entrusted Mr Jokowi to state that he is now with PSI, and no longer with the old PDIP party,” Bestari told CNN Indonesia on Friday (29 May). He stressed that PSI is pleased because, during his 10-year presidency, Jokowi has never publicly supported any party, including PSI. Therefore, his coattail effect has benefited various parties and figures. Now, with public support declared at congresses and annual meetings, many have announced their intention to join PSI. “And thankfully, this will undoubtedly strengthen PSI. If someone says there’s no noticeable change, I don’t think that’s the case,” he said. Bestari said that Jokowi has recently identified three regions for his initial visits to meet the public: Lampung, NTT, and West Sumatra. During these visits, Jokowi will not only meet the public but also PSI volunteers and officials. “He will visit those who have interacted with him across regions, including making time to visit PSI provincial branches to offer motivation,” Bestari added.