On Jokowi's Political Safari, Gerindra Says: Election Is Still Far Off, Let's Focus on Working for the People

Jakarta – Gerindra Party spokesperson Bahtra Banong has responded to the political safari being undertaken by Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), across several regions. Bahtra admitted his party was reluctant to comment on the political activities of other parties. He said Gerindra is currently more focused on ensuring the success of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes. “We don’t want to comment on other parties,” Bahtra stated at the Parliament Complex in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. “Gerindra’s concern is how to safeguard President Prabowo’s priority programmes, especially those related to people’s agendas,” he added. According to him, Gerindra cadres are focused on supporting the government’s programmes, particularly as Prabowo is the Chairman of the Gerindra Party. Furthermore, Bahtra noted that the 2029 General Election is still three years away, and therefore the party has not yet discussed electoral strategies. “Because the election is still a long way off, let’s focus first on working for the people. So Gerindra has not yet, what’s the term, thought in that direction,” explained the Deputy Chairman of House Commission II. “Because Gerindra truly wants the priority programmes of President Prabowo’s administration to be successful, to succeed, and for their impact to be felt by the entire community,” he added. Previously, Jokowi began a political safari to several regions with the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), including Lampung Province. Jokowi arrived in Lampung on Friday, 26 June 2026, and was scheduled to tour and meet the people of Lampung over three days. During those three days, the former PDIP cadre planned to visit Mesuji Regency, Tulang Bawang Regency, Pesawaran Regency, East Lampung Regency, and the city of Bandar Lampung. He was set to meet with traditional leaders, community figures, and his volunteers. PSI DPP Chair Bestari Barus revealed that one of the issues Jokowi would bring up during the safari was encouraging the Prabowo-Gibran administration to continue for two terms. “I am sure Mr Jokowi will also convey a message to the public as he did to PSI, which is to support the Prabowo-Gibran programme going forward and even make it successful for two terms, he said,” Bestari stated in a podcast.