Jokowi To PSI: Don't Lift Issues That Young People Don't Love

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo believes that the majority of voters' segmentation in the 2024 General Election is suitable for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

Jokowi said that he had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) about the population of voters aged 17-39 years for the 2024 General Election, which turned out to be almost 60 percent.

"There are 60 percent less, all young people, and a segment market of that size must be targeted and obtained by PSI. And I think it is very suitable for PSI," said Jokowi when giving a speech at the peak of PSI's 8th Anniversary celebration., in Jakarta, Tuesday night January 31st.

To ensure that he can attract the majority of voters, Jokowi suggested that PSI be observant in raising issues that are in accordance with the character of voters aged 17-39 years. Jokowi believes that the PSI Management is more aware of him.

"Don't raise issues that our young people don't like," he also said.

Furthermore, Jokowi reminded PSI to avoid being trapped into current followers and to create trends that have been carried out by other parties.

"Don't follow them. The issue is not to follow them. Don't be a follower but it must be a trendsetter. Get it, definitely get it," said Jokowi.

Jokowi also had an example of how he managed to attract young voters when running in the 2012 DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).

Jokowi referred to his decision to use the plaid shirt icon during the 2012 DKI gubernatorial election campaign, distinguishing himself from the tradition of using a combination of suits, ties and caps.

"At that time I remember preparing with Pak Ahok that it was a plaid shirt. Nobody dared to make a trend like that. There was a risk. The risk could be lost if it was wrong, but it turned out to be welcomed by the community, especially the young people," he said.

Therefore, Jokowi suggested that PSI also dare to find ways to distinguish their identities from other political parties, which in case they can attract young voters as the biggest niche in the upcoming 2024 election.