'Solo Wailing Wall': Digital Humour or Public Anxiety?

Not long ago, netizens were sent into a frenzy over the tagging of the residence of Indonesia’s seventh President, Jokowi, in Solo as the ‘Solo Wailing Wall’ on Google Maps. The renaming reportedly began circulating from Monday (17 February 2026). The tag was placed precisely at Jokowi’s private residence on Jalan Kutai Utara No. 1, Sumber Sub-district, Banjarsari District. In addition to the map application prank, a video emerged of a young man theatrically wailing in front of the residence.

In response, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) described the incident as an expression of public love for the former Mayor of Solo. This was conveyed by PSI Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees, Grace Natalie, who regarded it as an example of netizen creativity.

“Ha ha ha… I’ve only just heard about it. Our netizens are certainly creative,” Grace said when contacted on Wednesday (18 February 2025).

“This is real proof that he is truly loved by the public,” she added.

Meanwhile, Jokowi’s aide, Police Commissioner Syarif Fitriansyah, confirmed there are no restrictions on visitors to Jokowi’s private residence. However, he urged the public not to treat Jokowi’s home as though it were an actual Wailing Wall.

“There are no restrictions — everything remains as normal,” Syarif said when contacted by the media on Monday (16 February 2026).

Jokowi’s Solo residence is well known as a destination for visits by political figures and government officials. President Prabowo himself visited Jokowi’s home on several occasions during the early days of his administration.

The question remains: does the tagging of Jokowi’s home as the ‘Solo Wailing Wall’ genuinely reflect the public’s affection for him, or does it suggest something else entirely?