PSI's Response to Rumours of Jokowi Wanting to Take Over a Party
Daily Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Ahmad Ali, has dismissed reports claiming that former President Joko Widodo wishes to take over a political party. The statement was made following a meeting with Jokowi at his home in the Sumber area, Banjarsari Subdistrict, Solo, Central Java, on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
“If Mr Jokowi wanted to take over a party, it could have been done while he was still serving as president,” said Ahmad Ali when met by reporters.
He assessed that Jokowi’s conduct during his presidency demonstrated a statesmanlike character that did not interfere in the internal affairs of other political parties. Therefore, according to him, it is illogical for accusations of wanting to control a party to emerge after he is no longer in power.
“When he was in power, he never used his authority to take over a political party. Now that he is no longer in power, why would he take over a party? It is better to strengthen the party that already exists today,” he stated.
Ahmad Ali urged any parties not to create such issues. According to him, the issue was deliberately created by parties or political entities feeling anxious. “I think Mr Jokowi has already responded to those issues. Mr Jokowi has explained that it is completely baseless,” said the former NasDem party cadre.
Ahmad Ali also emphasised that PSI is not interested in interfering in other parties’ affairs. Currently, he said, his party is focused on building internal strength to face the 2029 general elections.
“Because we ourselves are striving to build the Indonesian Solidarity Party so that it can pass in the 2029 elections,” he said.
Previously, in a Tempo magazine report on 12 April 2026, Jokowi was mentioned as one of those who had explored opportunities to manage NasDem Tower. Jokowi was also said not only to have explored managing the building but also handling the party organisation. For more details, read here.
NasDem politicians suspect that the institution is being prepared for Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who does not yet have a party after being expelled from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle due to partnering with Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Presidential Election.
Jokowi has denied the rumour. Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s father stated that he has no thoughts whatsoever about plans to take over. He questioned how many trillions of rupiah would be needed to acquire NasDem, which has an office in the towering tower in Jakarta.
“My class is micro, small, and medium enterprises,” said the former Mayor of Solo, Central Java, when asked for comment on Friday, 10 April 2026.