PPI Chief Assesses Jokowi's Bid to Lock in Prabowo-Gibran Duet for Two Terms Early

Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia (PPI) Adi Prayitno assesses that the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) directive to PSI to safeguard the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for two terms is part of a political manoeuvre. According to him, Jokowi wants to lock in the Prabowo-Gibran duet from an early stage. “Jokowi wants to lock in the Prabowo-Gibran duet early, as well as affirm that Jokowi continues to want to form a coalition with Prabowo,” Adi told reporters on Sunday (21/6/2026). He said the directive also indicates an effort to secure the future political configuration, as he believes many will be eyeing the vice-presidential position alongside Prabowo. “Because those eyeing Prabowo’s vice-presidential slot will certainly be numerous, ranging from coalition party chairpersons to ministers and state officials, only it is not disclosed. Therefore, Jokowi wants to get ahead of others by putting forward the political proposal of Prabowo-Gibran for two terms,” he said. Adi also highlighted the political scenario if Gibran does not return as Prabowo’s running mate in the 2029 Presidential Election. According to him, this would open up new speculation regarding Jokowi’s political direction. “The question mark is, if Gibran does not become Prabowo’s vice president, what will Jokowi’s political manoeuvre be? Will he continue to support Prabowo unconditionally, or will he put forward Gibran as a presidential candidate?” he remarked. “Many parties speculate that Jokowi will put forward Gibran as a presidential candidate in 2029 if he no longer pairs up with Prabowo,” he continued. Adi said if that condition occurs, it would mirror the situation in the 2009 Presidential Election, when the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono competed against the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla, despite the two previously being a presidential and vice-presidential pair in 2004. “Many parties are also encouraging Jokowi to put forward Gibran as a presidential candidate in 2029 if he no longer pairs up with Prabowo, the reason being that Jokowi is a figure who once defeated Prabowo in two presidential elections. It just remains to re-test Jokowi’s prowess to compete against Prabowo in 2029,” he stated. Previously, DPP Chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Bestari Barus, said the 7th President Joko Widodo asked his party and sympathisers to safeguard the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Bestari mentioned there is no talk of twin suns, following up on Jokowi’s plan to travel around Indonesia. “To us, he conveyed that we are asked to safeguard Mr Prabowo-Gibran, even for two terms. So there is no slander about there being two suns. How can there be two suns? It’s nonsense,” Bestari told reporters on Friday (18/6). Bestari revealed the message from a meeting with Kaesang Pangarep’s father in Solo on Thursday morning (18/6). Bestari said Jokowi reminded them to maintain internal harmony and support the ongoing Prabowo-Gibran administration. “He continued, earlier I was also entrusted with a message to maintain internal harmony. And also remind friends everywhere to support this pair, Mr Prabowo-Gibran, what other sun could there be,” he said.