PDIP's Deddy Sitorus Hits Back at PSI's Bestari Barus: 'Teach Me How to Be a Turncoat?'

PDIP DPP Chairman Deddy Sitorus has responded to PSI DPP Chairman Bestari Barus’s offer to ‘educate’ PDIP elites regarding accusations of cadre poaching by the party led by Kaesang Pangarep. Deddy claimed Bestari was the one who failed to understand.

‘He is the one who fails to understand. Why should I be the one to be given understanding? I don’t feel there is any understanding that Bestari or PSI can add to me,’ Deddy told reporters on Friday (19/6/2026).

Deddy then questioned whether Bestari wanted to teach him how to be a political turncoat. Bestari was previously a NasDem Party cadre before defecting and joining PSI.

‘Does Bestari want to teach me how to be a turncoat or to advance fearlessly defending those who pay?’ Deddy Sitorus said.

He then challenged Bestari again, asking which part of his statement about cadre hijacking was not understood. Deddy intends to enlighten the PSI figure.

‘Which part does he not understand? Let me explain it to him,’ he stated.

Previously, Bestari Barus had said, ‘Note this carefully: whether or not one is in any political party is purely a private right,’ after meeting with Jokowi in Sumber, Banjarsari, Solo, as reported by detikJateng on Thursday (18/6/2026).

Bestari also took a swipe at PDIP. As a major party, he said, PDIP should already understand the rules regarding citizens’ political rights.

‘So I mean… PDIP is a big party, how can they not understand something like that? That’s how it is,’ he remarked.

Bestari issued an open invitation to PDIP cadres to discuss the matter directly with him to gain a correct understanding.

‘Please convey that if they really want to understand better, tell the PDIP cadre who spoke to meet me, so I can make them understand,’ Bestari asserted.

Deddy Sitorus had previously stated that his party was monitoring attempts by Jokowi’s camp to persuade PDIP cadres to join PSI. Deddy claimed that some were even offered material assistance.

‘We continue to monitor their movements, which persistently try to persuade PDIP cadres to join PSI in various regions, including council members, regional heads, party officials, and cadres. According to information I have heard, they are even offered substantial material assistance on average. I don’t know if it’s true. Frankly, we are not afraid,’ Deddy told reporters on Monday (15/6).