PSI Deems Jusuf Kalla's Statement about Jokowi Too Emotional
Head of the Central Board of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Ahmad Ali, assessed Jusuf Kalla’s statement regarding Joko Widodo as too emotional. Previously, JK stated that Jokowi became president thanks to his help.
Ahmad Ali refrained from confirming or condemning the statement. He described it as inappropriate because both Jusuf Kalla and Jokowi were running mate candidates at the time, each contributing to the presidential election victory.
“Mr JK is like my elder brother in the Indonesian Muslim Students’ Association (HMI). But it’s also inaccurate for Mr JK to claim that he made Jokowi win. I think that’s too emotional. Because it was teamwork as running mates, right?” said Ahmad Ali when contacted by Tempo on Sunday, 19 April 2026.
Ahmad Ali also dismissed allegations that Jokowi was behind the police report against Jusuf Kalla regarding suspected blasphemy. He stated that PSI had no connection to the report against Jusuf Kalla. “I can assure you 1000% that Mr Jokowi is not involved in this matter. I assure you 1000% that PSI is not part of this matter,” he said.
Jusuf Kalla’s statement emerged amid his entanglement in the controversy over Jokowi’s allegedly fake diploma. He was accused by Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar of giving Rp 5 billion to Roy Suryo and associates related to attacks on Jokowi’s diploma.
Additionally, Jusuf Kalla was reported by the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI), led by Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat, who is a PSI cadre.
PSI is a party closely associated with Jokowi. Jokowi’s youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, is the general chairman of the party with the elephant symbol. Jokowi’s name has even been mentioned as potentially filling the position of PSI’s advisory board chairman.
In a press conference yesterday, Jusuf Kalla vented his frustration towards parties that frequently discredit his relationship with Jokowi.
JK recalled his vital role in bringing Jokowi to the national political stage. “Tell everyone that the bottom line is that Jokowi became President because of me. Agree? Agree. Without a governor, how could he become president,” said JK at his residence in South Jakarta on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
JK also questioned the decision of PDI Perjuangan General Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri to nominate Jokowi. He recounted his experience when Mega asked him to accompany Joko Widodo in the 2014 presidential election.
According to JK, Jokowi lacked sufficient experience to be assigned as head of state.
“He had only been Governor (of Jakarta) for two years,” said Kalla during the press conference at his home in the South Jakarta area on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
JK once advised the general chairman of the bull party to reconsider nominating the former Solo Mayor. “He doesn’t have enough experience; it will ruin the country,” said this vice president of the 10th and 12th periods.