Bawono Kumoro: Jokowi sedang memperbesar PSI, ambil ceruk PDIP

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Political Indicators Principal Researcher, Bawono Kumoro, assessed that the traditional procession of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi stepping on a buffalo head in Lampung, had an implied meaning.

The process was carried out by Jokowi when he received the honorary traditional title "Baginda Pemuka Bangsa" from five Lampung customary kingdoms at Kedatun Keagungan on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Jokowi's procession was also interpreted as a form of confidence in the former Governor of DKI Jakarta that his figure "bigger" than the PDI Perjuangan's power in Lampung.

"It can be interpreted like that because Lampung is one of PDIP's political bases outside Java that is quite strong. But maybe it also has no meaning other than an adat ritual," he said when talking to Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOn podcast which aired on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

But anyway, said Bawono, "Every behavior, behavior of an elite including Jokowi even though he has retired and is not president, of course has political meaning."

When he arrived in Lampung for a political safari on June 26, Jokowi wore a shirt and hat with the logo of the new Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) which featured a red-headed elephant and a black body.

The clothes show that Jokowi's agenda in Lampung is also to raise PSI, which he said had succeeded in consolidating the party's structure. All of Jokowi's agenda in Lampung has been prepared by volunteers and PSI.

According to Bawono, there are still groups and political parties that try to take advantage of Jokowi's influence, including PSI which is now led by his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep. Jokowi's influence is considered important to strengthen PSI's position ahead of the 2029 election, as well as maintaining the electability of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

"Let's say it's like looking for political luck for Mr. Jokowi to make PSI pass to parliament in the upcoming election," said Bawono.

Bawono also highlighted the PSI political identity platform which resembles PDIP. In addition to the same party colors, both parties also claim to shelter all groups, ethnic groups, religions, close to young people, anti-corruption, and also support minorities. "I think, one of the ways taken by Mr. Jokowi as a former PDIP cadre to raise PSI is by trying to take the niche of the party's bull voters," he said.

However, whether Jokowi's efforts will have an impact on PSI's electoral and his son's chances in the 2029 election contest, Bawono assessed that it still depends on Gibran's own persona. Because, besides because Jokowi is no longer president, individual ability and nature cannot be inherited. Even Anies Baswedan who has followed Jokowi's political route from DKI governor to the national political stage, failed to become president.

Interestingly, said Bawono, is the development of Jokowi's relationship with President Prabowo Subianto. If the relationship is still warm as before, it could be that Gibran will run again as Prabowo's running mate in the upcoming presidential election. However, if the relationship between the two has become strained, it will certainly be an opportunity for other parties, including PDIP, to submit a running mate for Prabowo.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto is considered to have a high chance of winning the 2029 presidential election. This can be seen from the approval rating or public satisfaction level with the founder of the Gerindra Party which reached 79.9 percent, according to a survey released by the Indonesian Political Indicator research institute in February. The results were driven by a number of factors, especially the eradication of corruption in the Prabowo era which was considered better than the Jokowi presidential era.

"The Attorney General's Office at the beginning of Pak Prabowo's administration often showed off the results of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force, releasing piles of fines and seizures, which the public considered as a form of seriousness in eradicating corruption. Direct cash assistance in the form of food and money also contributed positively to public satisfaction with Prabowo," said Bawono Kumoro, Principal Researcher of Indonesian Political Indicators, to Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOn podcast which aired Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Seeing the results, Bawono assessed that Prabowo's electability if he fights again in the 2029 presidential election will be high. However, Prabowo must also be careful to maintain his credibility by ensuring that his flagship programs run smoothly, such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), and the Red and White Village Cooperative. If these programs receive negative sentiment from the public, it could have a less good effect on Prabowo's image. "I think it will have an effect, especially in the last few months there has been criticism of MBG."

The existence of the MBG and Kopdes programs themselves is often associated with the decline in the rupiah exchange rate, the weakening of the Composite Stock Price Index, and the rise in the price of non-subsidized fuel. For example, the Kopdes program, whose personnel recruitment process is problematic and its location is not strategic, as well as MBG, whose management is said to be chaotic.

"Although the relationship is not direct, but our current economic conditions are often associated with Pak Prabowo's flagship program," said Bawono.

Bawono said that with the current situation, political parties other than PDIP have the potential to continue to carry Prabowo in the upcoming presidential election. Provided, Prabowo's approval rating is consistently high, as is his electability. However, if the level decreases, it will be another presidential candidate's opportunity to attract public attention.

Eddy Wijaya is a podcaster born on August 17, 1972. Through the YouTube account @EdShareOn, Eddy interviewed many national figures ranging from state officials, legal experts, political experts, national politicians, to local celebrities.

The man with a right cheek dimple is also a nationalist who is an activist for the marginalized and social observers by helping the community through the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa Foundation.

He is also active in the field of sports by serving as the Chairman of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi) Pacu and also served as Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) East Jakarta.

Eddy also served as an Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chinese Social Marga Association, 2022-2026 term of office. His ideas were formed because of his hard work to be independent from the age of 13 until he was successful as he is now.

For Eddy, the world of work is not as smooth as imagined, failure and rejection are common. This is what makes him hold on to the tagline "Success is just a matter of time". (ADV)