PSI Counters PDIP Politician's Sharp Criticism of Jokowi's Indonesia Tour
Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), plans to travel across several regions of the country. Jokowi’s plan has drawn a sharp response from PDI Perjuangan politician Guntur Romli, which was later countered by the PSI.
According to detikNews, Jokowi stated his intention to tour Indonesia due to improving health, citing invitations from communities in various regions as the reason for the trip.
‘I have received numerous invitations from regions to attend events. Yes, I am now healthy and will visit these invitations,’ Jokowi said at his residence in Sumber, Banjarsari, on Monday (25 May).
When questioned if the regional tour was a precursor to promoting his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka for the 2029 presidential election, Jokowi remained silent and reiterated the agenda was solely due to public invitations.
‘Fulfilling regional invitations means I am ready. Yes, ready. Insha’Allah, ready,’ added the former Solo mayor.
PDIP’s Sharp Response
PDI Perjuangan politician Guntur Romli delivered a sharp response when asked about Jokowi’s planned Indonesia tour, claiming no concern and asserting it would not impact PDIP.
‘I am certain there is no impact whatsoever. Jokowi was dishonourably expelled from PDI Perjuangan, along with Gibran and Bobby. The public knows the reasons,’ Guntur stated when contacted on Friday (29 May).
Guntur then referenced Jokowi’s promotion of PSI during his presidency, stating the former president’s support had no effect on the party.
‘Simply put, when Jokowi was president, he failed to get PSI into parliament, let alone now when he is no longer in office,’ Guntur added.
He also claimed Jokowi’s tour was merely distributing aid packages, accusing him of staging political dramas during his travels.
‘He will only hand out aid packages and envelopes for social media content,’ said Guntur Romli.
‘There is nothing to fear from Jokowi’s travels across Indonesia; we can witness his typical left-right political soap opera,’ he added.
PSI Responds to PDIP
PSI DPP Chairman Bestari Barus responded to Guntur Romli’s remarks, expressing surprise at the PDI Perjuangan politician’s consistent negative comments about Jokowi.
Bestari initially agreed that PDIP had no reason to worry about Jokowi’s tour, stating it was merely to address public sentiment.
‘It would be strange if they were worried. Why should they be concerned?’ Bestari said when contacted on Friday.
Bestari also criticised Guntur’s interpretation of Jokowi’s intentions, noting PDIP’s consistently negative stance since Jokowi left the party.
‘I don’t know, ever since Jokowi withdrew the benefits for the party, their opinions have always been negative, that’s how it is,’ he said.
‘Without PDIP realising it, we at PSI are actually pleased that Jokowi is no longer with them, and hopefully during his Indonesia tour, he will declare his alignment with PSI,’ he added.