PDIP Fires Back at PSI Over 'Elephant's Den' Claim in Central Java: Don't Be Arrogant!

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has responded harshly to claims by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) that it intends to make Central Java its ‘kandang gajah’ (elephant’s den). PDIP politician Guntur Romli urged PSI not to be arrogant, asserting that the party bearing the elephant symbol does not yet possess the political strength to claim PDIP’s voter base.

The controversy began after the Chairman of PSI’s Central Java Regional Executive Board, Antonius Yogo, stated that his party was ready to accompany Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), on a tour of Central Java. According to Yogo, the political safari aims to ensure Central Java becomes a ‘kandang gajah’.

‘We are immediately awaiting the schedule from Bapak. Our task now is to prepare for Bapak to go down and tour Central Java, to ensure that Central Java truly becomes the elephant’s den,’ Yogo said, as quoted from detikJateng on Monday (6/7/2026).

Yogo explained that the proposed political safari covers almost all regencies and cities in Central Java. However, the locations to be visited will ultimately be decided by Jokowi. ‘As soon as possible, we will prepare it as soon as possible. We will contact the team, hopefully by mid-July this can start. We proposed almost 35 regencies/cities, of course, Bapak will choose which ones he will visit,’ he explained.

According to Yogo, the plan is a follow-up to a meeting with Jokowi. PSI Central Java is currently finalising the schedule and technical details of the political safari. He also reported to Jokowi that the establishment of party structures in Central Java has reached approximately 95 percent, meaning the party machinery is ready to work at full capacity.

‘We reported the performance achievements of the DPW structure throughout Central Java, which is almost 95 percent. The party machinery structure we promised is ready, we reported this to Bapak today,’ he stressed.

PDIP politician Guntur Romli assessed that PSI’s claim regarding Central Java as a ‘kandang gajah’ is nothing more than arrogance. He even suggested that the planned political safari with Jokowi indicates PSI still needs the former president’s figure. ‘PSI should not be too arrogant. Jokowi forcing himself to tour means PSI is very weak. If PSI were strong, Jokowi would just be resting and relaxing. This political safari is also a diversion from the issue of the PSI Secretary-General who admitted to receiving money from the Kuansing Regent, which was only returned 10 days later,’ Guntur told reporters on Sunday (5/7).

He also urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) not to be selective, questioning why it took 10 days for the money to be returned and stating that this does not nullify the criminal act. He also mentioned the case of PSI Daily Chairman Ahmad Ali, whose house was searched and billions of rupiah seized, yet he remains untouched.

Guntur further brought up the results of the 2024 General Election. He argued that PSI lacks the political capital to talk about seizing PDIP’s voter base in Central Java. ‘It’s just a form of arrogance, not a statement that needs to be responded to, let alone worried about. If PSI were the number two party in 2024, then saying they want to seize the ’bull’s den’ would be more logical,’ he said.

‘PSI failed to enter parliament in 2024, even though they were fully supported by Jokowi, with the tagline PSI is Jokowi’s Party, putting Jokowi’s photo on all their billboards. Even as president, Jokowi failed to get PSI through, let alone now that he is no longer president. PSI, don’t be arrogant,’ he added.

DPP PDIP Chairman Deddy Sitorus also criticised PSI. He responded to a statement by DPP PSI Chairman Bestari Barus, who questioned PDIP’s attitude towards Jokowi. ‘It feels like we never hear PSI’s voice on people’s issues, they are just busy dragging PDIP into things. The people are tired of PSI’s gimmicks,’ Deddy told reporters on Sunday (5/7/2026).

Deddy assessed that PSI makes more sensational statements than voicing the people’s concerns. ‘Enough already, the people also know they are just creating sensations for electoral clout,’ he said. ‘We are waiting for their voice on student demands, the Kuansing Regent bribery case, and other issues related to the people.’