After Jokowi's Fire, PDIP Must Focus As An Opposition

Photo Certificate: Illustration of the PDIP Flag. (Ist)

JAKARTA UIN political observer Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Bakir Ihsan, believes that the PDI-P (PDIP) must focus on being an opposition in the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka government after firing Joko Widodo and a number of other cadres.

As is known, PDIP officially fired 27 of its cadres because it was considered a violation of ethics and committed serious violations. Jokowi, Gibran, and Bobby Nasution were among the ranks of the fired cadres. Jokowi's dismissal was based on Decree number 1649/KPTS/DPP/XII/2024 while Gibran's dismissal was the result in Decree number 1650/KPTS/DPP/XII 2024. The dismissal of Bobby Nasution was based on Decree number 1651/KPTS/DPP/XII/2024. Jokowi and Bobby were deemed to have deviated from the instructions of political parties because they chose to support the Prabowo-Gibran pair in the 2024 presidential election.

In addition to the three names, several other politicians were also kicked because they were considered defecting in the 2024 presidential election, such as Maruarar Sirait, Budiman Sudjatmiko, and Effendi Simbolon, who have been relatively popular, have networks, and are strong logistics.

According to Bakir, the PDIP's decision to fire Jokowi cs has the potential to erode the electability of political parties. This is because the fired cadres have a large influence and mass base. But on the other hand, this step can also boost the image of the party in the eyes of the public. Jokowi cs's dismissal can be perceived as evidence that PDIP is serious about organizing political party organizations and upholding their ideology.

The Nugativity may be that in the short term there is a decrease in support, because support so far is possible for figures. However, in certain cases, PDIP has a mass base whose loyalty is relatively strong. Therefore, the existence of figures like this actually has to be transformed into the strength of political party organizations," he said, Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Bakir admitted that PDIP still relies heavily on Megawati Soekarnoputri's character as the party's glue. However, they also do not lack reliable politicians who also have names on national stage, such as Ganjar Pranowo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, to Djarot Saiful Hidayat.

"Whoever the figure is, if his organization or political party is trusted by the community then he will still get support. Therefore, once again it depends on what important steps are taken by PDIP in the future to ensure that they do not depend on figures even though until now Megawati is still an important figure," he explained.

He emphasized that in the current political context, it would be more appropriate if PDIP focused on designing concrete steps in the future to address the Prabowo-Gibran government. He said that PDIP could focus and consistently take an opinion and strengthen its constituent loyalty. The critical attitude of control and so on and concern for the community is part of the steps that will strengthen the institutionalization of political parties," concluded Bakir.