PSI Criticises PDIP's Gunrom Over Negative Remarks Since Jokowi Withdrew PDIP's Perks

PSI Central Executive Board Chairman Bestari Barus criticised PDIP politician Guntur Romli for making negative comments about former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during his nationwide tour. Barus expressed surprise that PDIP officials consistently voice derogatory remarks about Jokowi.

‘It’s strange for him to be worried. Why should he be concerned? Jokowi, as the seventh president, frequently conducted grassroots visits during his tenure, creating a sense of longing among communities and individuals who experienced his policies firsthand. People miss his visits,’ Bestari said when contacted on Friday (29 May), according to detik.com.

Bestari also highlighted Guntur Romli’s non-comprehensive view of Jokowi’s intentions. However, he acknowledged PDIP’s consistently negative stance since Jokowi left the party.

‘I don’t know, but since Jokowi withdrew the party’s perks, their opinions have always been negative,’ he said.

Bestari hopes this becomes an opportunity for Jokowi to confirm his current alignment with PSI. He added that Jokowi’s supporters should stop voting for PDIP.

‘So without PDIP realising it, we in PSI are actually pleased that Jokowi is no longer with them. Hopefully, during his nationwide tour, Jokowi will state that he is now with PSI,’ he said.

‘That’s why the anxiety arises. It’s natural for Jokowi, beloved by the public, to have his silent voters and supporters shift allegiance – where else but to PSI? Hence, their concerns are understandable,’ he added.

Bestari also urged PDIP officials to focus on their own party affairs, specifically targeting Guntur Romli’s role within PDIP.

‘He should focus on his own party, or is he so idle in PDIP that he has to monitor other parties? It’s quite problematic,’ he said.

‘I’m also puzzled about his role in PDIP – is he an official or not? Or is he vying for a position, hence making baseless statements that don’t benefit the party,’ Bestari said.

Previously, PDIP spokesperson Guntur Romli, known as Gunrom, dismissed concerns about Jokowi’s alignment, stating it would have no impact. He argued that during Jokowi’s presidency, his current party (PSI) couldn’t secure parliamentary seats.

‘Simply put, when Jokowi was president, he couldn’t get PSI into parliament, let alone now that he’s no longer in office,’ Gunrom said when contacted on Tuesday (26 May).