PSI Responds to PDIP's Proposal for Gibran to Office in IKN: 'Shallow Perspective'
The Chairperson of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Central Executive Board, Bestari Barus, has responded to a proposal by PDIP requesting that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka relocate his office to the New Capital City (IKN). Bestari assessed the proposal as inappropriate.
“In PSI’s view, that is a somewhat shallow perspective, because the President should be the one making such proposals. Why is PDIP’s proposal so half-hearted? They claim to be a large party, yet their proposal is so indecisive,” Bestari told reporters on Monday (18/5/2026).
He argued that discussions regarding the relocation of activities to IKN should not be directed personally towards Gibran, suggesting that PDIP’s approach is too tendentious. “They should be saying, ‘Let us all move to IKN,’ why must it be targeted at Gibrably? Gibran is an integral part of the President’s administration. As Vice President, he is an assistant to the President, working according to the President’s orders. Why don’t PDIP members understand this?”
He added that Gibran has already addressed the issue of working from IKN multiple times. “How can PDIP members be at this level and not understand? They keep repeating the same thing, even though Mr Gibran has answered several times as Vice President.”
Bestari suggested that members of the House of Representatives (DPR) should instead lead by example by moving to IKN first. He stated that if PSI were to enter parliament, they would propose that the DPR move there ahead of others. “They should set an example. If they claim to be from the best party, they should lead. Do not attempt to divide the President from the Vice President; they are a single unit.”
Previously, the Constitutional Court (MK) rejected a judicial review of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital, meaning Jakarta remains the capital. The Chairperson of the PDIP Honorary Council, Komarudin Watubun, stated that the court’s decision aligns with current realities. “The fact is, the regulations are prepared for the capital to be there. But de facto, the capital is currently in Jakarta, and it will remain so if the new site is not yet ready.”
The member of Commission II of the DPR noted that the 7th President, Joko Widodo, had previously worked from IKN. Consequently, Watubun argued that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka should also office in IKN to ensure that the maintenance costs for IKN are not wasted. “That is what should happen—perhaps some ministers or the Vice President should office there so that there is a benefit, rather than incurring routine maintenance costs for those buildings over the coming years.”