Kaesang Targets Central Java as an Elephant Enclosure, Jokowi's Son is Called Again a Dream in the Morning of Bolong

JAKARTA - Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, responded to the statement of the General Chair of PSI Kaesang Pangarep who targeted Central Java as the Elephant's cage in 2029. He said, the youngest son of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, was dreaming in broad daylight.

According to him, as the party's ketum, Kaesang should have encouraged his cadres to win the contest in his region. Hopefully, all cadres will continue to work to win their party in every election.

"Kaesang seems to try to instill optimism by giving high targets to his cadres in Central Java. Although everyone knows that the target of making Central Java an elephant's cage is unrealistic," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Monday, December 12.

"That's because there is no figure in PSI who has a selling point. Including of course Kaesang the chairman," he continued.

Jamiluddin views, Kaesang could try to rely on his father, Joko Widodo. However, according to him, Jokowi's selling point since he stepped down as president until now has also continued to decline.

"Even from the trend, Jokowi's selling point will reach its lowest point in 2029. Therefore, I hope Jokowi can boost PSI's votes in Central Java, let alone make the Elephant's cage, hopefully just a daydream," said Jamiluddin.

For this reason, Jamiluddin said, Kaesang's target was responded to coldly by PDIP. Because, he said, it could be that PDIP assessed Kaesang's expression as just a child's fantasy.

"So, if head to head with PDIP, PSI is indeed not equal. Comparing Kaesang with Megawati is certainly like the earth and the sky," he said.

In addition, said Jamiluddin, the capacity of his cadres is also not equal. PDIP cadres are more ideological than PSI cadres, so they have a better chance of being accepted in Central Java.

"PDIP is much more rooted in Central Java. This makes it difficult for other parties, especially PSI, to oust PDIP from Central Java," he concluded.

Previously, the General Chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Kaesang Pangarep, said Central Java was a stable of elephants. PSI began to warm up the party machine and targeted 17 DPRD seats in the province in the 2029 election.

Kaesang said that currently PSI has 12 DPRD members in Central Java. However, this number is still considered not ideal.

"To be honest, 12 seats are still too small for Central Java. Our target in the future is 17 seats at the provincial level. For regencies/cities, at least 100 factions must be filled," said Kaesang when opening the Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorwil) of the Central Java PSI Regional Leadership Council (DPW) in Solo City, Thursday, January 8.

He gave an example of PSI's achievements in Solo City which experienced a significant increase. In the previous election, PSI only won one DPRD seat. In the 2024 election, it increased to five seats and managed to place its cadres as leaders of the Solo City DPRD.

In addition, PSI also has a Deputy Mayor of Solo. "I hope that in the next election there will be more leaders who are born from PSI," he said.

Kaesang emphasized PSI's commitment to continue to be present and work for the people of Central Java.

"Central Java is the elephant's cage. PSI is here for the people of Central Java. Please help us work and move together towards the 2029 election," he said.