Jokowi Goes on Safari, Golkar Unfazed by Potential Loss to PSI
Golkar Party Secretary-General Muhammad Sarmuscji believes that each political party possesses its own unique appeal to attract voters in the 2029 General Election contest. Sarmuji assessed that the activities of former President Joko Widodo, who has begun visiting Lampung alongside the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), do not diminish Golkar’s chances of outperforming PSI.
“The risk of voter migration is not only towards PSI but also towards other parties. Similarly, there is potential for migration from other parties to Golkar. This is normal in political contests. We are optimistic facing the 2029 election,” said the Member of Parliament when contacted on Friday, 26 June 2026.
According to Sarmuji, whatever Jokowi does with PSI is the right of the former Mayor of Solo. He expressed an invitation to compete in doing good.
“Yes, those are the political rights of Mr Jokowi and PSI. Mr Jokowi is a free man who is free to determine his political steps. We simply respect it,” Sarmuji said.
On Friday morning, 26 June 2026, Jokowi departed from Adi Soemarmo Airport, Boyolali Regency, Central Java, heading to Lampung to begin his tour alongside volunteers and the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). Jokowi wore a white shirt and hat featuring the characteristic PSI elephant logo.
Regarding the agenda during his stay in Lampung, Jokowi stated that the entire series of activities had been prepared by volunteers and PSI. “The event rundown has been created; from the volunteers and PSI, everything is ready. It will be a packed schedule,” said the former member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Jokowi is planned to be in Lampung for three days. His plan to visit various regions was announced a short while ago. He claimed these activities are being conducted to fulfil invitations from the community. After Lampung, Jokowi will continue his grassroots visits to East Nusa Tenggara and West Java.
The Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council of Brigade Rakyat Nusantara, Lampung Province, Sarhani, stated that Jokowi’s arrival was based on requests from the public. “We invited him because we received a lot of information and input from the general public that they wanted to be visited by Mr Jokowi following his retirement as president,” he said when contacted on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.
According to Sarhani, Jokowi is visiting as an ordinary citizen and does not carry a political agenda. He noted that supporting volunteers would create billboards to welcome Jokowi’s arrival in the southernmost region of Sumatra.
During his three days in Lampung, Jokowi is not only scheduled to meet volunteers and traditional leaders. The 7th President is also slated to visit several locations, including the Al Qodiri Islamic Boarding School in Central Lampung, Kota Gajah Market in Central Lampung, the Pesawaran Transmigration Museum, the Cultural Parade in East Lampung, and the Darussalamah Braja Dewa Islamic Boarding School.