Solo Mayor Responds to Gerindra's Disappointment Over Jokowi Billboards: 'Ready to Admit Fault'

Solo Mayor Respati Ardi has responded to the Gerindra Party’s local branch regarding billboards wishing the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), a happy 65th birthday at several locations in Solo City. Respati, who is also a Gerindra Party cadre, had little to say when asked to comment on the statement by the Chairman of the Solo Gerindra DPC, Ardianto Kuswinarno. ‘Regarding the issue from the Chairman (Ardianto) yesterday, the point is (I am) wrong. Ready to admit fault,’ Respati replied on Tuesday (23/6). He explained that the Solo City Government installed the birthday billboards for Jokowi as a form of appreciation. According to him, Jokowi brought about significant changes during his tenure as Mayor of Solo from 2005 to 2012. ‘(The billboards) are a form of appreciation,’ he said. Additionally, Respati mentioned that Jokowi still renders service to Solo City even though he is no longer President. It was unclear what service Respati was referring to, but he stated that Solo City continues to feel Jokowi’s blessings to this day. ‘Let us be blessed. Thanks to him (Jokowi), even today Solo City continues to receive blessings,’ he said. Previously, Ardianto Kuswinarno admitted he was disappointed by the presence of billboards from the Solo City Government wishing Joko Widodo a happy 65th birthday, which were spread across the streets. His reasoning was that similar treatment was not given to the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, who currently serves as President of the Republic of Indonesia. Ardianto noted that Solo Mayor Respati Ardi is currently a cadre of the Gerindra Party. ‘Why was there no greeting for Mr Prabowo? This makes me somewhat disappointed with what the Mayor gave to Mr Jokowi, but why was there nothing for Mr Prabowo? Even though he is also a Gerindra cadre,’ Ardianto said when met by detikJateng at the Solo DPRD Building on Monday (22/6).