PDIP dismisses Jokowi's Central Java safari plan as PSI's arrogance

A spokesperson for Indonesia's ruling party, PDIP, has dismissed plans for President Joko Widodo's upcoming political safari in Central Java as the arrogance of a smaller party. Guntur Romli, a spokesperson for PDIP, stated that the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) does not need to be taken seriously or feared regarding its intentions in Central Java, a region known as the 'Banteng cage' or stronghold of PDIP.

Romli argued that PSI is not a major party capable of winning over the region, especially since it failed to secure any parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections. He recalled that even with Jokowi's full support and the tagline "PSI, Jokowi's Party" during his presidency, the party could not gain entry into parliament. "If PSI were a big party in 2024, then saying they want to capture the Banteng cage would make more sense," Romli said.

The planned safari in mid-July is expected to include Jokowi's son and PSI chairman, Kaesang Pangarep. The specific locations to be visited have not yet been announced. Antonius Yogo, chairman of PSI's Central Java branch, confirmed the plan after meeting with Jokowi on Friday, expressing hope that the tour would commence by mid-July.