Gerindra Solo Disappointed by City Government's Birthday Banner for Jokowi

The Solo City Government has extended birthday greetings to former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on his 65th birthday through the installation of banners. The Solo branch of the Gerindra Party has expressed disappointment over the move.

One of the birthday banners was observed on Jalan dr Wahidin, Purwosari, Laweyan. The banner features a smiling Jokowi wearing a white shirt. It bears the logo of the City Government and the ‘The Spirit of Java’ logo of Solo City.

‘Pemerintah Kota Surakarta mengucapkan 21 Juni 2026 Selamat Ulang Tahun ke-65 Bp. Ir. H. JOKO WIDODO PRESIDEN KE-7 RI,’ the banner reads.

Ardianto, Chairman of the Solo branch of Gerindra, said he was disappointed. He received reports that seven such banners had been installed.

‘I received reports from several colleagues that there are greetings from him at around seven points, but all using banners belonging to the Surakarta City Government,’ Ardianto said when met at the Solo DPRD building on Monday (22/6/2026).

Ardianto suspected the banners were intended as a surprise for Jokowi. Nevertheless, he expressed disappointment with the actions of Solo Mayor Respati Ardi.

‘In my analysis, perhaps the Mayor wanted to give a surprise or something, I’m not entirely sure. Yet, I feel quite disappointed, as Chairman of the Gerindra branch,’ he said.

Ardianto questioned why similar treatment was not given to the Chairman of the Gerindra Party, who is also the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.

‘Why was there no greeting for Pak Prabowo? This makes me somewhat disappointed with what the Mayor gave to Pak Jokowi, but why not for Pak Prabowo? Even though he is also a Gerindra cadre,’ he lamented.

In a separate interview, Solo Mayor Respati Ardi stated that the installation of the banners was a form of appreciation. He noted that Jokowi served as Mayor of Solo from 2005 to 2012.

‘Yes, this is a form of appreciation. We remember that the Surakarta City Government underwent drastic changes during his era. Extraordinary development. This is certainly an appreciation from the Surakarta City Government for the 16th Mayor and the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia. We hope he continues to inspire those of us currently serving,’ he said.

When asked about the absence of a greeting for President Prabowo Subianto, Respati responded casually.

‘Well, it’s his (Jokowi’s) birthday, what can I say,’ he concluded.