The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has issued an ultimatum that party members must rally behind its presidential nominee Ganjar Pranowo or face expulsion.

“Members defecting [from the party] by supporting other candidates are welcome to resign or face dismissal,” PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said at press conference after the party’s regional working meeting in Jambi on Saturday.

He did not mention specific cases of disloyalty.

The ultimatum came after three prominent ruling party members made headlines in recent months for appearing to support another presumptive presidential candidate, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who will likely compete with Ganjar for the country’s top office next year.

Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, set social media and political circles abuzz in May when he hosted Prabowo for dinner at his official residence. The dinner was followed by surprise announcements from several Jokowi and Gibran supporter groups from Central Java and East Java that they would support the defense minister for president.

The controversy came alongside reports that a growing contingent of Jokowi’s supporter groups favored Prabowo over Ganjar for the presidency in 2024, which analysts say may reflect Jokowi’s own preferences.

Read also: Jokowi, Ganjar ‘inseparable’, PDI-P says as Gibran aids in unofficial campaign

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