PDIP and PSI Clash Again, This Time Over 'Elephant Pen' Claim in Central Java

The polemic between the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) and PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) continues, this time revolving around the issue of the ‘elephant pen’ in Central Java. Under the leadership of Kaesang Pangarep, PSI has adopted the elephant as its party symbol. Meanwhile, Central Java is widely known as the ‘bull pen’, a nickname for the region that is a stronghold for PDIP, whose symbol is a bull. PSI is now ready to assure the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), that Central Java is an ‘elephant pen’. This follows Jokowi’s planned political safari to the province. ‘We are awaiting the schedule from Mr. Jokowi for the date. Our task today is to prepare for his visit, for him to tour Central Java, to ensure that Central Java is truly an elephant pen,’ said PSI Central Java Chairman Antonius Yogo. Yogo proposed that nearly all regencies and cities in Central Java be visited, but the final decision rests with Jokowi. The political safari is planned for this July. ‘As soon as possible, we will prepare it. We will contact the team, hopefully by mid-July it can proceed. We are proposing almost 35 regencies and cities, and Mr. Jokowi will choose which ones to visit,’ he explained. Yogo stated that the plan for the Central Java tour was made after a direct meeting with Jokowi and that his team is currently finalising the schedule and technical details. He added that the July agenda is based on the progress of the party’s structure formation, which is claimed to be nearly complete. Yogo reported to Jokowi that the party machinery is ready to work at full capacity. ‘We reported the achievements of the DPW structure across Central Java, which is almost 95 percent complete. The party machinery structure we promised is ready, and we reported this to Mr. Jokowi today,’ he asserted. PDIP politician Guntur Romli responded by telling PSI not to be too arrogant. He argued that Jokowi’s need to tour indicates PSI’s weakness, suggesting that if PSI were strong, Jokowi would simply be resting. Guntur also linked the safari to a diversion from a scandal involving the PSI Secretary General allegedly receiving money from a Kuansing regent, which was only returned after 10 days. He urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) not to be selective, questioning why the delayed return of funds does not negate the criminal act. Guntur further stated that PSI’s political targets in Central Java are not a concern, noting that PSI failed to enter parliament in the 2024 elections despite full support from Jokowi, who was president at the time. ‘That is just arrogance, not a statement that needs to be addressed or worried about. If PSI were the number two party in 2024 and then said they wanted to seize the bull pen, that would be more logical,’ he said. Meanwhile, PDIP DPP Chairman Deddy Sitorus responded to PSI DPP Chairman Bestari Barus, who had questioned why PDIP continues to comment on Jokowi even though he is no longer a cadre. Deddy accused PSI of only being busy dragging PDIP into matters. ‘We never hear PSI’s voice on people’s issues, they are just busy dragging PDI Perjuangan into it. The people are bored with PSI’s gimmicks,’ Deddy said. He assessed that PSI often makes sensational statements and challenged them to voice critical opinions on issues such as student demands and the Kuansing regent bribery case.