Projo Wants To Join Gerindra, Observers Call Jokowi's Senses

JAKARTA - The Pro Jokowi Volunteer Step (Projo) which stated that the intention to join the Gerindra Party was sharply highlighted by the public. The volunteer, who has been known to be loyal to the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, also plans to replace the organization's logo, which originally had a silhouette on Jokowi's face.

Political communication observer Hendri Satrio assessed that Projo's maneuver could not be read as a sign of ordinary separation. He suspects that this step is actually part of Jokowi's political strategy to instill his influence on Gerindra's body.

"In my opinion, it is very possible that Jokowi's strategy is also to infiltrate Projo into Gerindra, so that Jokowi also understands what Gerindra's direction and strategy will be in the future," Hendri told reporters, Monday, November 3.

According to Hendri, what Projo did was most likely a step that Jokowi had taken into account carefully. He saw a pattern similar to the dynamics of Projo in the past, when this volunteer group was 'angambek' and threatened to disperse, but was again solid after General Chair Budi Arie Setiadi was appointed Deputy Minister of Villages.

"People may think Projo is raiding. I don't think so, surely Projo's people know that they have to thank Jokowi," he said.

Hendri reminded that Jokowi is known to be good at playing a political strategy with steps that are often difficult for the public to predict. Therefore, he believes that Projo's maneuver this time is not a form of defection, but part of Jokowi's big scenario.

"It could be as if they were separated. Even though it was a strategy to strengthen Jokowi's previous idea, Prabowo-Gibran for 2 periods," he said.

Furthermore, Hendri suspects that the existence of Projo in Gerindra will actually become Jokowi's political " Troya horse". With the position inside, Projo is said to be able to influence the direction of party policy while monitoring Prabowo Subianto's strategy in the next two terms.

"Be careful for Gerindra. This could be Jokowi's Projo's Trojan horse for Gerindra which was deliberately infiltrated so that Jokowi's wish regarding Prabowo-Gibran 2 periods really happened," said Hendri.

Hendri also mentioned the emergence of the name of the Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive who is said to be becoming popular and can become a serious competitor for Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the future.

"Moreover, now Gibran has a competitor whose name is Purbaya. To anticipate that, Projo could make that maneuver," he said.

Meanwhile, the daily chairman of the Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, admitted that he had not received an official report regarding the Projo volunteer plan to join the party led by President Prabowo Subianto.

"I haven't heard directly. If we hear directly later, of course we will respond," said Dasco in his statement, Sunday, November 2.

However, Dasco emphasized that Gerindra is always open to support from various parties. "Gerindra is ready to accept big waves from anywhere. If that's an aspiration, of course we will consider being accommodated," he said.

Dasco's statement came after the General Chairperson of Projo, Budi Arie Setiadi, in a speech opening the congress called for volunteers to strengthen President Prabowo's political agenda. He even mentioned the possibility of himself joining political parties.

"Please allow, if one day I party, I hope Projo's friends can understand. You don't have to ask what party," said Budi Arie, who was greeted with boisterous applause from congress participants.