Solo City Government's Jokowi Birthday Billboards Draw Ire from Gerindra Party

The Solo city government’s distribution of billboards wishing former President Joko Widodo a happy 65th birthday has drawn disappointment from the Gerindra Party. Ardianto, Chairman of Gerindra’s Solo branch, received reports that the city government’s birthday greetings for Jokowi were displayed at multiple locations, not just one. “I received reports from several colleagues that there were greetings from him at around seven points, all using billboards belonging to the Surakarta City Government,” Ardianto said when met at the Solo DPRD building on Monday (22/6). Based on detikJateng’s investigation, one billboard is located on Jalan dr Wahidin, Purwosari, Laweyan. The billboard features a photo of Jokowi in a white shirt, topped with the logo of the City Government and the Solo City logo, The Spirit of Java. The text reads: “The Surakarta City Government extends Happy 65th Birthday to Mr. Ir. H. Joko Widodo, 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, 21 June 2026.” Ardianto, as the branch-level party chairman, questioned why similar treatment was not given to Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto, who currently serves as President of Indonesia. He noted that Solo Mayor Respati Ardi is a Gerindra cadre. “Why was there no greeting for Mr. Prabowo? This makes me somewhat disappointed with what the Mayor gave to Mr. Jokowi, but why not for Mr. Prabowo? Even though he is also a Gerindra cadre,” Ardianto said. He added, “In my analysis, maybe the Mayor wanted to give some kind of surprise or something, I don’t quite understand. Yet, I also feel quite disappointed as the DPC Chairman.” Ardianto declined to speculate on possible political motives or manoeuvres behind the billboard installation. However, he intends to seek further clarification regarding the use of regional budget funds for procuring Jokowi’s birthday greeting billboards. “Later, we will ask personally, just between me and the Mayor,” Ardianto stated. In response, Solo Mayor Respati Ardi explained that the birthday billboard was an expression of appreciation. He noted that Jokowi served as Mayor of Solo from 2005 to 2012, a period he credited with bringing drastic changes to the city. “Yes, this is a form of appreciation. We remember that the Surakarta City Government underwent drastic changes during his era. Extraordinary development. This is certainly a great appreciation from the Surakarta City Government for the 16th Mayor and 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia. We hope he continues to inspire all of us currently serving,” Respati said on Monday (22/6). When asked about Gerindra’s query regarding the lack of similar treatment for Prabowo, Respati responded briefly, saying that Jokowi was the one celebrating a birthday. “Well, it’s his birthday, what can I say,” Respati replied.