Global Courant
Mr Kaesang was aware that the PDI-P, which was also courting him, had not given “important, structural or strategic” positions to his father, brother and brother-in-law who are members, he added.
“Kaesang is able to continue (propagate) Jokowi’s thoughts and legacy at PSI instead of PDI-P, which is dominated by the Sukarno family and Sukarnoism,” Mr Wasisto told The Straits Times, referring the founding president of Indonesia and the umbrella of his ideas, including social and political ones.
“Kaesang’s mission is to ensure that Jokowi’s thoughts remain once he steps down after the 2024 elections,” he added.
Dr. Ujang Komarudin, a political analyst from Indonesia’s Al-Azhar University, agreed, saying PSI has provided Mr Widodo with an “alternative channel to continue his political life given his current hot and cold relations with PDI-P” .
Local media have reported deteriorating relations between Mr Widodo and Ms Megawati, allegedly over the choice of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, a claim both have denied.
PSI, in turn, has the political support of the powerful Indonesian leader to secure votes and increase his chances of entering parliament, which more than makes up for Mr Kaesang’s lack of political experience, Dr Ujang added.
“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership. If Kaesang were not the president’s son, he would never become chairman of the PSI. That is the political privilege he has,” the analyst told ST.
His two sons joining different parties also showed Mr Widodo’s political shrewdness in not putting all his eggs in one basket, Dr Ujang noted.
“PSI is still a small party now, but it could potentially become big in the future and Jokowi could move there,” he said.
But a victory on the Widodo family’s political scorecard could come at the expense of Indonesian democracy, analysts say.
They note that Indonesian politics tends to focus on the position, power and popularity of political figures, rather than what they can bring to the table in terms of policies, programs and ideas.
Prof Firman Noor, another political analyst from BRIN, expressed disappointment with PSI as it is “just like any other party” that caters to the interests of those in power to survive in the crowded political space and win elections .
Kaesang, he said, lacks the political experience to lead a party, where “being the son of a president is his selling point.”
“In the end, it seems that PSI is not selling ideas or working hard to get close to the people or educate them about politics, but simply looking for a shortcut,” he told ST.
“Electing a popular figure does not help mature the millennial generation, or promote a good political education. It’s just being opportunistic.”
