PSI: Jokowi's Blusukan Will Not Become a Second Sun

The PSI Chairperson for Politics, Bestari Barus, stated that the planned visits by Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), to several regions are not intended to act as a second sun within the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Bestari explained that PSI’s position differs from other political parties within the government coalition, noting that PSI must still undergo factual verification processes as it did not secure seats in the 2024 General Election.

“PSI is a party that must first undergo a phase called factual verification, because our party is not yet in parliament. This is very different from the parties in the coalition, as they are already in Senayan,” he said during an appearance on CNN Indonesia’s ‘Inside Politics’ on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Bestari stated that PSI fully supports the vision and mission of President Prabowo through its representatives serving as Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Red and White Cabinet. He cited the work of the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, a PSI cadre, who successfully contributed Rp6 trillion in fine proceeds to the state. “Therefore, Pak Jokowi’s journey is not intended to create two suns, but rather to see how PSI can increase its contribution to the journey of Pak Prabber and Mas Gibran, even for two terms,” he added.

In contrast, the Spokesperson for the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Ansy Lena, suggested that Jokowi’s current activities are no longer relevant or important to PDIP. She argued that the planned visits should raise significant questions for the political parties within the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming coalition. She noted that the parties must ensure whether Jokowi’s activities are intended to support President Prabowo’s work or serve purely personal interests.

“Because today we know that the President is Prabowo Subianto, and President Prabowo is like the sun. In an orchestra, he is the sole conductor leading to produce excellent harmony,” she remarked during the same programme. Ansy urged all political parties to focus on the success of President Prabowo’s work programme, warning against parties pursuing individual agendas. “Remember, there must not be more than one sun. Everyone must focus. We can imagine if there are ten supporting parties and each has its own agenda; we can be certain that President Prabowo Subianto’s administration will not succeed,” she concluded.