PSI Meets Jokowi At The Palace, Affirms Not To Rush To Support Presidential Candidates While Alluding To There Are Still Many Soap Opera Dramas

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) DPP Grace Natalie gave a statement after being received by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (4/9/2023). (ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) DPP Grace Natalie said President Joko Widodo advised his party not to rush to determine official support for the 2024 election because there are still many "synetron dramas" that will occur.

"We are still monitoring it, like Pak Jokowi said it was neutral first, ojo Kesusu, there are still many soap opera dramas," said Pak Jokowi, "said Grace after being received by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 4.

Grace said her party was perpendicular to Jokowi's direction. The briefing from Jokowi still makes sense and is relevant to the current political situation.

"The coalition that was formed today can still change at any time. Maybe, even the presidential and vice-presidential candidates announced yesterday that the contract at the KPU (General Election Commission) was still able to change as well," he said.

According to Grace, PSI would not be wise if it decided on the direction of support at a time when the political situation was unclear and overshadowed by various political maneuvers.

Asked about the statement by the Secretary General of the Gerindra Party DPP Ahmad Muzani who said that PSI would immediately provide support to the presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, he considered the statement as a prayer from Gerindra.

"That's a statement or maybe Mas Ahmad Muzani's prayer, we continue to communicate, but PSI is following Jokowi's direction," he said.

Grace said PSI continued to communicate with various parties before expressing support for certain presidential candidates in the 2024 General Election. One of the important criteria for presidential and vice-presidential candidates that PSI will support is the commitment to continue President Jokowi's policy.

"Communication continues. The final conclusion has not arrived because the situation is still very fluid. We are perpendicular (with) Pak Jokowi," addedGrace.