Observers call Jokowi a political safari in the name of PSI: Gibran and Kaesang are not strong enough to become symbols

Charta Politika Executive Director Yunarto Wijaya believes that Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) decision to travel across Indonesia to greet the people is part of a way to raise the name of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

Jokowi previously said the blusukan around Indonesia was to respond to an invitation from regional communities.

However, many parties believe that Jokowi’s regional safari is preparation for the 2029 presidential election to re-nominate Gibran.

In addition, the agenda will also include meetings with Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) cadres and Projo volunteers.

When asked about this, Jokowi did not give a firm answer and only said that the reason for his trip to Indonesia was to respond to an invitation from the region.

According to Yunarto, Jokowi’s political safari remains electoral in nature, considering Jokowi’s statement that addressed the PSI and the Prabowo-Gibran issue.

“Mr. Jokowi clearly stated that there are elements of the PSI, the PSI is an electoral player who will run in 2029 and we know that his son is also vice president. Mr. Jokowi also issued a statement of an electoral nature, ordering volunteers to support volume two of Prabowo-Gibran,” he said, quoted on YouTube CNN Indonesia, Wednesday (27/5/2026).

“So it’s the electoral sense, you can’t say it’s the national sense and I think Mr. Jokowi, as far as I know, is a very data-driven character, yes, if he decides to go on a journey again, I think there are several things that could then become a driving force as data,” Yunarto explained.

Through this early data, Yunarto said, Jokowi realized that if his goal was to elevate the PSI’s name and political power, then he needed to intervene directly.

Because his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is not enough to be a symbol, even if he is now vice-president of the Republic of Indonesia. Likewise with his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep.

“Gibran is not strong enough to be a symbol, Kaesang is not strong enough to be a symbol even if he is general president of the PSI,” explained Yunarto.

Then, in the second data, Yunarto said that Jokowi was aware of various controversies in the government over the past two months, such as the depreciation of the rupiah and the weakening of the Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG).

This is what makes Jokowi feel the need to understand how the current government is seen as a continuation of himself, given that he is considered one of the figures who played a role in the birth of the Prabowo-Gibran government.

“It then needs to take a position, whether it will become a party that can help clarify various kinds of controversies about the policies of this government or whether it will perhaps be able to take advantage of the ‘my times are better’ or ‘my times are better’ phenomenon,” he said.

According to Yunarto, Jokowi’s decision is also part of an attempt to test the waters, wanting to hear directly what people’s perceptions are of the current government.

“And how can he then take a position, whether in the context of the interests of the PSI or in those of Gibran (for the 2029 presidential election),” he asked.

Finally, Jokowi’s goal is to increase Gibran’s transitional position for the upcoming 2029 presidential election.

“It is not impossible, it is also an effort to increase his bridge position, showing that he is still strong, he also knows that other parties might want to become Mr. Prabowo’s vice president, in 2029 they will be Gibran’s competitors and it is an effort to then increase the bridge position for Mas Gibran himself,” he explained.

Jokowi Blusukan will salute the people and sustainability of advanced Indonesia

Secretary General of Pro Jokowi Volunteers (Projo), Freddy Damanik, previously emphasized that Jokowi’s goal of traveling to Indonesia again was to greet the Indonesian people, not for the sake of the 2029 presidential election.

“Pak Jokowi said that it was easy for us at this time to greet the people, to greet the Indonesian people. Because the public knows that Pak Jokowi is a leader who is very close to the people,” he said, quoted from YouTube Kompas TV, Tuesday (26/5/2026).

So, according to Freddy, there is nothing strange in Jokowi’s agenda because the former president has long had the habit of greeting people.

“So if he comes back to the people, it’s natural for him (Jokowi). So it’s been his habit for a long time, it’s been decades since he was mayor, governor and president for two terms. So actually, there is nothing strange in that,” he stressed.

While there are still many parties who question the purpose of Jokowi’s regional safari, Freddy explains that it is for the sake of the sustainability of advanced Indonesia.

“How sustainable is advanced Indonesia?” So we are looking at this with Pak Jokowi, of course because of the values ​​he has, and that is what we will continue to promote,” he said.

Furthermore, regarding the statement regarding support for Gibran, Freddy said it was still too early to discuss it.

“Later, for example, there will be a lot of questions, for example from observers saying that it is clear for the contestation of the presidential election of 2029, for example, it is clear with Mas Gibran. So we are not taboo to talk about politics, but if we talk about the contestation of 2029, for us, it is still too early,” he stressed.

However, Freddy said, if Jokowi’s regional safari has any effect on the 2029 presidential election, it is natural because Jokowi is an active figure in political dynamics.

“But if in the future, for example, Mr. Jokowi’s visits or social capital one day, for example in 2029, his index finger is directed to a particular figure, yes, Mr. Jokowi is indeed a politician,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Jokowi is expected to tour Indonesia in June 2026 and the initial destinations are Lampung, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Java.

Regarding his health, Jokowi had previously stressed that his condition had improved and that he was therefore ready to fully resume his activities.

“Yes, that’s how it is, right? Responding to regional invitations means that’s it, that’s it. Yes, it’s ready. God willing, it’s ready,” Jokowi said at his residence, Sumber, Banjarsari, Monday (25/5/2026).

In addition to staying in touch, Jokowi also said he would motivate the community.

“Motivate (people) and also meet the PSI in the regions, as well as meet volunteers in the regions. Yes, because there was an invitation,” he said.

Source: tribunnews