Gerindra and PDIP United in Reprimanding Solo Mayor Over Jokowi Birthday Billboards
The Branch Leadership Council (DPC) of the Gerindra Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) have united in reprimanding the Surakarta City Government over the installation of billboards wishing the seventh President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), a happy 65th birthday. They questioned why similar treatment was not afforded when President Prabowo Subianto celebrated his birthday, particularly as Solo Mayor Respati Ardi is registered as a Gerindra cadre.
“Why was there no greeting when it was Mr Prabowo’s turn? This makes me somewhat disappointed with what the Mayor gave to Mr Jokowi, but why was there nothing for Mr Prabowo? Even though he is also a Gerindra cadre,” said the Chairman of Gerindra’s Solo DPC, Ardianto Kuswinarno. According to him, the issue is that the billboards were not installed in just one location. Based on information he received, birthday greeting billboards for Jokowi were put up in at least seven spots.
“I received reports from several colleagues that there were greetings from him in several places, around seven points, but all used billboards belonging to the Surakarta City Government,” he said. PDIP politician and member of the Solo House of Representatives Commission II, Silvester Rony Kamtoro, questioned the source of funding for these billboards. He suspected a potential misuse of the regional budget in the installation of Jokowi’s birthday billboards.
Silvester argued that public money should only be used for the public interest, whereas the birthday greeting billboards for Jokowi were deemed to represent only a segment of society. “APBD funds must certainly be used for the people’s interests, not for personal, group, or individual interests,” he said. Moreover, Silvester noted that Jokowi’s image is now closely identified with the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). The installation of the billboards was seen as potentially causing jealousy among other parties. “This is not appropriate because Mr Jokowi, if I am not mistaken, serves as a Patron of PSI,” he said.
When asked to respond to the statement by Gerindra Solo DPC Chairman Ardianto Kuswinarno, Solo Mayor and Gerindra cadre Respati Ardi had little to say. He stated that the Solo City Government installed the birthday billboards for Jokowi as a form of appreciation, noting that Jokowi had brought significant change during his tenure as Mayor of Solo from 2005 to 2012. However, he conceded the billboard crisis was entirely his fault. “Regarding the issue from the Chairman (Ardianto) yesterday, the point is I am wrong. I am ready to accept blame,” Respati replied on Tuesday (23/6).