23-4-2024 (JAKARTA) In a significant political shift, outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and his son, the incoming Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, have severed ties with the country’s largest party, the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). This move comes after they threw their weight behind rival candidate and election winner Prabowo Subianto, according to a party official on April 23.
Komarudin Watubun, who heads the ethical division of the PDIP, revealed that Jokowi and Gibran were no longer members of the party, not due to expulsion but rather their decision not to endorse the PDIP’s presidential candidate, Ganjar Pranowo. “They decided to be on the opposite side,” Komarudin told Reuters.
In a surprising turn of events, Prabowo secured a resounding victory in the February 14 election, garnering 58 percent of the vote compared to Ganjar’s 16 percent. This triumph was aided by Jokowi’s tacit endorsement and Gibran’s inclusion as Prabowo’s running mate.
Komarudin emphasized that the party sought to preserve Jokowi’s dignity, stating, “Regardless of what happened, Jokowi reached the highest career level in the party, he has become president. We want to preserve his dignity.”
Jokowi’s backing of Prabowo has created tensions within the PDIP, which will remain the largest party in parliament following the election. The president’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Jokowi joined the PDIP in 2004 to run for mayor of Surakarta, a position he held for two terms before being elected as Jakarta governor and subsequently serving as president for two terms with the party’s backing. Gibran has also served as Surakarta mayor since 2020.
While Jokowi has yet to discuss his political plans, sources suggest that he aims to take over the second-biggest party, Golkar, a move that could potentially allow him to retain significant influence and counterbalance that of his old rival, Prabowo, when the latter takes office in October.
Prabowo’s current coalition commands 48 percent of parliamentary seats, and senior aides have indicated his intention to expand this to a majority. Several parties, including Nasdem, which backed another candidate, have already held talks with Prabowo.
Amidst the ongoing rift with Jokowi, speculation is rife that PDIP chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri, a political heavyweight, could soon meet with Prabowo to discuss the possibility of joining his coalition.
