PSI on Jokowi's Plan to Tour Indonesia: Health Condition Will Determine

Ahmad Ali, the executive chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), said he would coordinate with Pro Jokowi (Projo) volunteers regarding the plan by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to tour Indonesia. One of the main factors considered in the itinerary, Ali said, would be Jokowi’s health. He disclosed this during a return visit to Jokowi’s home in Sumber, Banjarsari, Solo; the meeting lasted more than an hour. “The planners are Projo (Jokowi touring Indonesia) and we will certainly coordinate and also look at his health condition, so this becomes a factor we will take into account,” he told reporters on Wednesday (20/5), citing detikJateng. During the meeting with Jokowi, Ali said Jokowi’s health—father of PSI chairman Kaesang Pangarep—was in good condition. He added Jokowi’s spirit to tour Indonesia remained strong. “Physically, I have only had discussions; his health has recovered, there is nothing lacking, nothing more; his enthusiasm is even stronger. So health factors are no longer an obstacle, but we cannot ignore age, given he has just recovered; this must be carefully considered in planning visits,” he said. Moreover, he said Jokowi remains happy to meet citizens even after leaving the presidency; in fact he believes Jokowi feels healthier when meeting the people. “The problem is when Pak Jokowi does not meet the public, does not meet people, he gets sick—that is the problem. So traveling around will make him more, he will become healthier,” he explained. When asked by reporters about the timing of Jokowi’s tour with PSI, Ali did not give a clear answer. He only confirmed that party cadres will welcome Jokowi when he goes down to meet the people. “If he comes down, God willing, every region he visits will be met by PSI cadres in the region,” he said. “He is a former president of ten years, of course there’s a strong longing for the people, for the rakyat, which underpins his decision to tour and greet the public. We see this as a journey of remembrance as he speaks to Indonesians,” Ali added. Separately, in the meeting he said he asked Jokowi for advice on PSI’s political journey and discussed developments in Indonesian politics. “Our discussion focused on current political developments and will provide inputs from him for PSI’s development going forward,” he said.