Jokowi’s Family Ties to PSI Spark Political Firestorm
PDI-P Critic Slams President’s Claims Amidst Party Leadership Shuffle
Politician Guntur Romli has fiercely challenged President Joko Widodo’s assertion that the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) is not dominated by a specific family or elite. The criticism comes as Kaesang Pangarep, President Jokowi’s son, is poised to lead the PSI.
Accusations of Hypocrisy Fly
Guntur Romli questioned President **Jokowi’s** sense of shame for making such statements in front of his own son, who is currently the PSI chairman. “Jokowi said Psi was not mastered by the family, did he not have shame? Delivering that in front of his son who became the chairman of PSI,” **Guntur** stated.
Adding to the scrutiny, **Guntur** highlighted remarks from the Chairman of the PSI Council, **Jeffrie Geovanie**, who reportedly emphasized that the PSI must have the “blood of Jokowi or his family.”
Leadership Election Rigged, Says Critic
Guntur Romli claims he anticipated **Kaesang Pangarep’s** ascent to the PSI chairmanship a month prior. He characterized the party’s leadership election process as a mere formality, akin to “elephant football,” where the outcome is predetermined.
“But, as I emphasized 1 month before this, Ketum PSI must be Kaesang. The election of the Ketum PSI like an elephant soccer, everything has been arranged, including who won and was determined who the winner was before the competition began.”
—Guntur Romli
President’s Defense: PSI as a ‘Super Tbk’ Party
President **Jokowi** had previously stated that PSI is a “Super Tbk” party, meaning its shares are collectively owned by all its cadres, not by any single elite or family. He encouraged all members to actively contribute to the party’s growth.
During the PSI Congress in Solo, President **Jokowi** remarked, “There is no elite ownership, there is no family ownership especially, all have the same shares.” He further added, “With this all members should have, all the cadres jointly participate in raising the party. Because it has the same taste for party ownership.”
The Indonesian political landscape is no stranger to discussions about family influence in party politics. For instance, a 2024 report indicated that parties with dynastic ties often faced challenges in maintaining internal democracy and could be more susceptible to corruption, according to a study by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK 2024).