PSI Rebuts PDIP Criticism of Jokowi's Nationwide Tour

Bestari Barus, Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), has responded to criticisms made by PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto regarding former President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) plan to tour various regions across Indonesia. Barus asserted that Hasto’s criticisms are rooted in personal resentment.

“I believe Hasto should coordinate matters related to governance with his own cadres in the executive and legislative branches. There is no need for PSI to respond to Hasto; there is no correlation. He is the only one who knows what he is talking about,” Barus stated on Tuesday. He added that since Jokowi previously belonged to PDIP, the party should move on and act with greater political maturity rather than harbouring long-standing grudges.

Addressing Hasto’s concerns regarding the fiscal challenges facing the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration—which Hasto attributed to Jokowi’s policies—Barus maintained that Jokowi’s ten-year presidency was a success. “Jokowi landed smoothly. What is not smooth is PDIP’s feelings towards him. Please note that Jokowi’s ten-year leadership was a smooth landing; it is only PDIP’s feelings that are unsettled,” Barus remarked.

Barus expressed confidence that the Prabowo-Gibran administration will act in the interest of the people, suggesting that PDIP’s criticisms stem from unfulfilled political ambitions. He also noted that Jokowi’s tour is intended to fulfil invitations from various regions and hopes the former President will encourage public support for the new administration to ensure stability.

Previously, Hasto Kristiyanto criticised Jokowi’s plan to visit various regions, arguing that such movements should serve as a form of accountability for his leadership rather than electoral maneuvering. Hasto pointed to significant fiscal issues facing President Prabowo, which he claims are consequences of previous policies, including massive social assistance spending—estimated by some observers to exceed USD 13 billion—and infrastructure projects like the New Capital (IKN) and downstreaming policies that he alleges only benefit certain oligarchs.