PDIP Responds to Jokowi's Plan to Continue Political Safari in Central Java

PDIP has voiced its response regarding the plan for Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, to continue his political safari in Central Java in mid-July, a region long considered the ‘Banteng’ (Bull) stronghold.

PDIP spokesperson Guntur Romli regarded the plan for the safari to Central Java as nothing more than the arrogance of the PSI party. He assessed that the plan does not require a response, let alone cause concern.

“It is merely a form of PSI’s arrogance, not a statement that needs to be responded to, much less feared,” he said when contacted on Sunday (5/7).

Gunrom, as he is affectionately known, believes that PSI is not a major party capable of seizing the ‘Banteng’ stronghold. This is because PSI has not yet entered parliament following its failure in the 2024 General Election.

“If PSI were a major political party in 2024 and then claimed they wanted to seize the Banteng stronghold, that would make more sense,” he remarked.

Gunrom assessed that PSI is simply being overconfident. He expressed doubt that PSI would be able to achieve much, especially since they failed despite receiving direct support from Jokowi during his presidency.

“Even with the full support of Jokowi when he was still president, using the tagline ‘PSI, Jokowi’s Party’ and featuring Jokowi’s photo on all billboards, Jokowi himself failed to get PSI into the presidency, let alone the party becoming president,” he said.

Jokowi is planned to be accompanied by his son, who is also the General Chairman of PSI, Kaesang Pangarep, during his planned safari to Central Java. However, the specific regencies and cities to be visited have not yet been disclosed.

“Hopefully, by mid-July, this can proceed,” said the Chairman of the PSI Central Java Regional Leadership Council (DPW), Antonius Yogo, after meeting Jokowi at his residence in Sumber, Solo, Central Java, on Friday (3/7).