Jokowi’s Support for PSI Seen as Test of Political Influence
Jakarta – Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has stated he will work tirelessly to secure a win for the Solidarity Indonesia Party (PSI). This commitment has prompted analysis of whether Jokowi retains political influence after leaving office, particularly given his departure from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
Adi Prayitno, Director of Executive at Parameter Politik Indonesia (PPI), suggested that Jokowi’s all-in support for PSI represents a test of his continued political strength. “When Jokowi is fully committed to bolstering PSI, it’s a kind of readiness to test Jokowi’s potency after no longer being president and not being with PDIP,” Prayitno said, according to reports on Sunday, February 1, 2026. “If PSI passes [the electoral threshold], Jokowi will certainly be said to still be potent, if it fails, he will surely be heavily criticized.”
Prayitno emphasized that the success of Jokowi’s support will ultimately depend on grassroots efforts. “Politics is about convincing the people at the bottom,” he stated. He noted that PSI has received a boost in morale from Jokowi’s pledge, but the party’s success hinges on effective campaigning on the ground.
Jokowi’s open alignment with PSI is seen as having both advantages and disadvantages. Prayitno believes PSI needs to minimize any resistance to Jokowi while simultaneously highlighting his positive attributes. He pointed out that PSI has historically appealed to urban voters and faces the challenge of expanding its reach to rural areas, where the majority of Indonesian voters reside.
During the 2024 election, PSI had already begun to capitalize on Jokowi’s popularity, using his image in campaign materials with the tagline “PSI Partai Jokowi” (PSI the Party of Jokowi). However, Prayitno noted that this effort felt somewhat hesitant and ultimately did not translate into parliamentary representation for the party.
“This is a political gamble for Jokowi,” Prayitno concluded. “If PSI passes the parliamentary threshold, Jokowi will be praised and will certainly be called still potent. Conversely, if PSI fails to pass the parliamentary threshold, Jokowi will face much criticism for no longer being potent.”
Jokowi publicly affirmed his commitment to PSI during a national working meeting in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He stressed the importance of a strong party structure with active engagement at the grassroots level.
“The strength of a political party lies in a strong structure,” Jokowi said. “But the structure must be alive, a structure that really works to the grassroots. Touching our lowest communities. That is the ideal structure.”
Jokowi also stated his willingness to travel throughout Indonesia to support PSI’s campaign, expressing confidence in his ability to visit provinces, regencies, cities, and even sub-districts as needed.
