PSI and PDIP Trade Barbs over Jokowi's Dismissal

Politicians from PDIP and PSI have been trading statements over the membership status of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in PDIP. PSI Central Executive Board Chairman Bestari Barus initially stated that the planned jacket pinning ceremony for Jokowi signified he was no longer with PDIP. Bestari’s statement was then countered by PDIP politician Guntur Romli. According to Guntur Romli, Jokowi was dismissed and did not resign from the party bearing the white-muzzled bull symbol. “I correct the title, Jokowi is not just no longer with PDI Perjuangan, but Jokowi was dismissed by PDI Perjuangan, along with Gibran, Bobby and 27 others in December 2024, due to constitutional violations, violations of the AD/ART and party regulations,” Guntur said as quoted from detikNews, Sunday (14/6). “So Jokowi did not leave PDI Perjuangan or resign, but was dismissed due to violations. Since he has been dismissed, it is none of PDI Perjuangan’s business whether he is party-less or joins another party,” he added. Guntur also brought up past sentiments when Jokowi’s followers did not want him to be called a ‘party officer’. Furthermore, he also targeted Jokowi’s position in PSI, which he considered merely as a servant. “Just wanted to remind you, Jokowi’s supporters previously did not like Jokowi being called a ‘party officer’ when he was with PDI Perjuangan, they called it an insult. So by Jokowi joining a party solely for its electoral interests, it means he is backtracking,” Guntur said. “The difference is that as a ‘party officer’, Jokowi was tasked by the party (PDI Perjuangan) for the interests of the people and the state. As a ‘party lackey’, Jokowi works for a party (PSI) only for its electoral interests, that is all,” he added. Guntur’s response stemmed from PSI Central Executive Board Chairman Bestari Barus’s statement that his party would pin a PSI jacket on Jokowi as a formal sign of him becoming Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Bestari said the jacket ceremony also serves as a marker that Jokowi is no longer with PDIP. Bestari stated the jacket ceremony would be carried out by PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep. However, Bestari has not disclosed the exact timing of the jacket ceremony for Kaesang’s father. “After the jacket is pinned and officially announced by the General Chairman, it becomes the broadest public knowledge that Pak Jokowi is now with PSI and no longer with PDI,” Bestari told reporters, Saturday (13/6/2026). Bestari Barus subsequently responded to PDIP politician Guntur Romli’s statement, who had corrected that Jokowi was dismissed by PDIP, not resigned. Bestari Barus claimed the PDIP ranks are deeply heartbroken after being left by Jokowi. “But indeed, what I have said several times on various occasions is that the pain of being left by Pak Jokowi, the pain felt because he was left by Pak Jokowi is truly deep and nurtured, piling up in their hearts,” Bestari said on Sunday. “They need a maturity education to be reintroduced into their curriculum, if the party even has a curriculum, so they can organise themselves more maturely in politics,” he added. Bestari said he did not dispute whether Jokowi was dismissed by PDIP. He claimed many citizens are happy that Jokowi is no longer with PDIP. “As for the issue of Pak Jokowi being dismissed, Gibran being dismissed, or Bobby being dismissed, it is just a mechanism. But I am one thousand percent convinced that the people of Indonesia are so happy to see Pak Jokowi leave, or in the process of being expelled by PDIP,” Bestari said. “Because they see Pak Jokowi being abused, called arrogant, made a selfie object, sitting in some fancy chair as we saw in public. Being called arrogant and all sorts. Is that what is called being honoured?” he continued. Bestari then labelled Guntur Romli’s statement as rubbish. According to him, Guntur Romli’s statement lacks substance. “So for me, what is conveyed by anyone with a skewed tone is something that might be called rubbish. It is rubbish, without class, without substance, and actually not worthy of a response,” he concluded.