Political parties, however, have responded coolly to the President’s playing to his gallery, saying that his volunteer groups are only using him.

Saturday’s gathering, which was organized by Jokowi’s volunteer group called Gerakan Nusantara Bersatu (United Nusantara Movement) and attended by thousands of supporters, drew swift criticism from various political parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), of which the President is a member.

“President Jokowi has accomplished a lot, we shouldn’t let certain groups damage his reputation through this political maneuvering”, said Hasto Kristiyanto in a written statement. While the PDI-P’s secretary-general praised Jokowi’s accomplishments, he warned against bad influence from the higher-ranking members of Jokowi’s volunteer group as well as the President’s inner circle.

Two of the President’s allies, Aminuddin Ma’ruf and Arsyad Rasyid, are said to be the main organizers of Saturday’s rally. Aminuddin, a former chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Students Movement (PMII), is on the President’s expert staff, while Arsyad is a businessman now chairing the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN).

Political muscle-flexing

While the PDI-P was especially careful in pointing the blame at anyone but Jokowi, Bawono Kumoro of Indikator Politik believed that they were actually fuming at what the political analyst sees as Jokowi’s display of his political firepower.

Popular

Freezing of protester’s bank account draws flak

Growing regional discontent

Indonesia’s rare earth push faces low-content, costly extraction hurdles