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Jokowi flexes political muscle to ensure future of clan
President Jokowi has made efforts to cement his political dynasty, with analysts noting how his youngest son’s sudden takeover of a youth-focused political party was part of a larger competition with PDI-P matriach Megawati Soekarnoputri.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, accompanied by his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, receives Defense Minister and former rival Prabowo Subianto, who arrived with his son, Didit Hediprasetyo, in this stock photo taken in Surakarta, Central Java, on New Year's Day in 2020. (The Jakarta Post/Twitter/Jokowi)
Having given his blessing for his youngest son to lead a rival political party just in time for the 2024 general elections, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo looks set on efforts to outmaneuver his political sponsor Megawati Soekarnoputri to secure a legacy of power and influence through his children for when he leaves office next year.
Jokowi’s son Kaesang Pangarep, a 28-year-old political novice, was named on Monday chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), a youth-focused party with which Megawati’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has been at odds since the 2019 elections.
This move has shaken up the political establishment, leading some analysts to suggest that it was the latest in a game of political chess between Jokowi and Megawati, whose relationship has appeared increasingly tenuous.
In his first speech as PSI chairman, days after joining the party and a mere three months after he publicly dismissed the idea of entering politics, Kaesang paid tribute to his father who inspired his decision to become a politician.
He also gave an open invitation for his father’s grassroots followers to join forces with his party.
“I ask for the support of Pak Jokowi's volunteers and supporters, who are not yet affiliated with any particular party, to make the PSI a home for our joint struggle; a friendly home for young nationalists dreaming of a developed Indonesia,” he said at his unveiling event in South Jakarta.
“They are also true Jokowers who believe that the development of the last five years must be continued and even improved on,” Kaesang added.
