Dependence on Jokowi Could Backfire for PSI

JAKARTA - Political communication expert at Esa Unggul University, M Jamiluddin Ritonga, revealed that dependence on the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has the potential to backfire for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) ahead of the 2029 Legislative Elections.

According to him, the information that Jokowi's health has recovered 99 percent and will start touring Indonesia in June 2026 is a strong signal that Jokowi will participate in raising PSI in various regions.

This is in line with Jokowi's statement of readiness at the PSI National Congress in Makassar on January 31.

On the other hand, this also shows that PSI is currently still very dependent on Jokowi's figure to boost the party's electability.

Moreover, until now, there has been no PSI cadre who has strong electoral appeal, including the Chairman of the PSI, Kaesang Pangarep.

"The dependence on Jokowi is getting bigger because until now PSI's electability is still low. The results of the latest survey, PSI's electability is only in the range of 1.2 percent," said Jamil, Sunday, May 17.

In fact, he said, Kaesang along with the Chairman of the Daily PSI Ahmad Ali and the party's management had toured Indonesia to carry out political consolidation.

PSI even mentioned that Central Java and Makassar would be the main base of the elephant-symbol party.

"In fact, the PSI leadership is not able to increase the party's electability. Therefore, PSI seems to be hoping that Jokowi's dream of going to Senayan can be realized," he continued.

However, Jamil said the strategy was very speculative. Because, he assessed that Jokowi's political influence is no longer as big as it was a few years ago because his golden age is beginning to fade.

Jokowi, he continued, is no longer seen as a figure who is able to hypnotize the nation's children to side with him, but is more closely associated with controversial figures, including his diploma.

He assessed that Jokowi's loyalist support is currently not necessarily strong enough to boost PSI's electability nationally.

In fact, relying too much on Jokowi risks creating public antipathy towards PSI.

"Hoping on Jokowi to boost PSI's electability seems to lead to disappointment. Jokowi's presence across the country carrying the PSI banner could even backfire," said Jamil.