Jokowi: Relationship With Mbak Puan Is Really Warm

The 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo together with the Chairman of the DPR and the Chairperson of the PDIP DPP for Political Affairs Puan Maharani /ANTARA /narda Margaretha Sinambela

JAKARTA - The 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) admits that he has a warm relationship with the Chairman of the DPR and the Chair of the PDI-P (PDIP) DPP for Political Affairs, Puan Maharani.

"The relationship is really warm, indeed warm, with Mbak Puan warm," said Jokowi as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, March 21.

Saaat was asked by reporters regarding the plan to meet with PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, Jokowi said he still did not know when it would be realized. According to Jokoowi, his relationship with Megawati is also good.

"Yes, not yet, but what will it be, in the future I think it will be fine," he said.

It is known that Jokowi has been a PDIP cadre since the beginning of his political career. He advanced as Mayor of Solo in 2005 with the support of the PDIP and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

His success in leading Solo brought him to the national stage, until the PDIP carried him as a candidate for Governor of DKI Jakarta in 2012 and a presidential candidate in 2014.

However, after two terms serving as president, Jokowi's relationship with PDIP began to stretch, especially ahead of the 2024 General Election. Differences in political attitudes, especially regarding support for different presidential candidates, made the relationship between the two even hotter.

On December 17, 2024, PDIP officially fired Jokowi from party membership. This decision was announced by the Chairman of the PDIP DPP for Honorary Affairs Komarudin Watubun who stated that Jokowi had committed a serious violation because he supported presidential and vice presidential candidates from the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) and abused power.

Previously, on April 22, 2024, PDIP had stated that Jokowi and his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, were no longer members of the party, following their support for a pair of presidential and vice presidential candidates who were different from the party's official choice.

This dismissal marks the peak of tensions between Jokowi and PDIP, especially regarding differences in political support ahead of the 2024 General Election.