PDIP Criticises Jokowi's Safari, PSI Ready for 2029 Duel

The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) has responded to PDIP’s criticism of 7th President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) safari across Indonesia, which PDIP labelled a political campaign manoeuvre to secure victories for his children. PSI claimed the criticism stemmed from disappointment after Jokowi left PDIP. “Whatever Pak Jokowi does will always attract the attention of this group, this disappointed group, who say they no longer care but actually do. It is like indicating right but turning into a ditch. They say they do not care, yet they keep discussing it. So, from a party that is anxious after being left, if we respond, they will just become unproductive,” said PSI DPP Chairman Bestari Barus when contacted on Sunday (28/6/2026). Bestari criticised PDIP’s political management and brought up Jokowi’s electoral victories, arguing they were not due to PDIP’s influence. “Yes, zero in attitude, their attitude is zero. Because we must be honest, who was PDIP’s best cadre at that time? Only Pak Jokowi. The others who ran never won, Ibu Megawati lost twice. Ganjar tried and did not win,” he explained. “Pak Jokowi won, meaning it was not because of PDIP’s prowess either. It was Pak Jokowi’s ability to convince the public, the people of this nation, that he was the best, and he won. Today, history records that PDIP has never won the presidency again because it was left completely by Pak Jokowi,” he added. Bestari stated that PSI is confident it can show its strength in the upcoming 2029 political contest. He said PSI is ready to fight PDIP in 2029. “We are not really counting PDIP because they will surely collapse. How will the people accept them? We were worried that if PDIP kept speaking well, they might become a very tough opponent for PSI. But because their rhetoric is poor after being left by Pak Jokowi, with excessive disappointment and an unwillingness to move on, we will prove it in 2029,” he said. “We are very confident. The important note is that we do not use the people’s money. They still use the people’s money to go down and supposedly guide the people, but using public funds,” he added. Previously, PDIP DPP Chairman Guntur Romli criticised 7th President Joko Widodo for starting his nationwide safari in Lampung wearing attire bearing the PSI logo. PDIP viewed Jokowi’s actions as a political campaign manoeuvre to win seats for his children. “That is a political campaign for 2029, for the victory of his children. Gibran, who will most likely not be with Prabowo again. And to get PSI, chaired by Kaesang, into parliament,” said PDIP DPP Chairman Guntur Romli to journalists on Friday (26/6). “All for the future of his children, Jokowi must work hard. Previously, as a ‘party officer’ of PDI Perjuangan, Jokowi was assigned as mayor, governor, and president to serve the people. Now Jokowi has become a ‘servant of the PSI party’, exploited solely for electoral interests,” he stated. Guntur brought up that the relationship between PDIP and Jokowi has ended since the party dismissed Jokowi in late 2024. He stressed that Jokowi’s safari steps have no impact on PDIP. “Jokowi’s relationship with PDI Perjuangan has ended since the issuance of the PDI Perjuangan DPP letter dismissing Jokowi on 4 December 2024. Jokowi’s political campaign will not impact PDI Perjuangan,” he said. Guntur said his party cannot be co-opted because of the Jokowi factor. He then warned other parties that he believes Jokowi will try to co-opt. “The proof is that the people successfully co-opted are not from PDI Perjuangan but from NasDem, Ahmad Ali, Bestari Barus, Rusdi Masse, and others. Other political parties should be more vigilant,” said Guntur. “Also, for the 2029 presidential election, it is for Gibran, not for Prabowo. Because from Jokowi’s own experience, there is no such thing as a vice president serving the same role for two periods. This political campaign tour only confirms the power ambitions of the Jokowi dynasty,” he continued.