Solo Mayor Ready to Apologise After Gerindra Protests Jokowi Birthday Billboards

Solo Mayor Respati Ardi has responded to a statement by the Chairman of the Gerindra Party’s Solo branch, Ardianto Kuswinarno, who expressed disappointment after the City Government installed birthday greeting billboards for Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Respati said he is ready to admit fault to Ardianto. “Regarding the issue raised by the Chairman, I am simply ready to admit fault, ready to admit fault,” Respati said when met at the Solo Manpower Office in Laweyan, as reported by detikJateng on Tuesday (23/6/2026).

Respati stated that the installation of the billboards was a form of appreciation for Jokowi, who served as Mayor of Solo from 2005 to 2012. “As a form of appreciation. I am simply ready to admit fault, Mr Chairman (Gerindra),” he said. Respati further expressed hope for blessings from Jokowi’s birthday, noting that Solo continues to receive good fortune. “Yes, at several points. So that we may receive blessings, thanks to him. Even today, the City of Solo continues to receive blessings,” he concluded.

Previously, Gerindra’s Solo branch chairman, Ardianto, voiced his disappointment over the billboards. He received reports that seven billboards had been installed. “I received reports from several colleagues that there were greetings from him at several locations, around seven points, but all used billboards belonging to the Surakarta City Government,” Ardianto said when met at the Solo DPRD building on Monday (22/6).