The Exodus from PSI: When the Elephant Loses Passengers

Kolase foto Kompas.com From right to left: Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha, and Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Isyana Bagoes Oka officially resign from PSI on Monday (November 9, 2026).

THREE senior officials of PSI have resigned simultaneously. Is this a political coincidence, a strategy for self-preservation, or a sign that some politicians are starting to sense a change in the winds as we approach 2029?

In political terminology: there are no eternal friends or foes, only enduring interests.

Loyalty can be displayed on billboards, idealism can be quoted in congress speeches, but when the political storm arrives, some politicians suddenly find that the political home they’ve occupied is no longer comfortable.

This phenomenon was evident from the exodus of three leaders from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) on November 9, 2026. They are Raja Juli Antoni, Giring Ganesha, and Isyana Bagoes Oka.

The three are not just ordinary members. Raja Juli serves as the Secretary-General of PSI and is also the Minister of Forestry; Giring is the former Chairman of PSI and currently the Deputy Minister of Culture; while Isyana is the Deputy Chairwoman of PSI and the Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development.

The simultaneous resignation of these three figures is certainly a political event that should not be regarded as merely three passengers getting off a bus at their intended stop.

Moreover, they are part of the power circle of the Prabowo-Gibran administration.

Raja Juli cited wanting to focus on his duties as Minister of Forestry.

Isyana stated she wishes to concentrate on state duties. Meanwhile, Giring mentioned that there are aspects that no longer align with his original commitment to PSI.

PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep accepted their resignations.

Formally, these reasons are valid and worthy of respect. However, in politics, official reasons often constitute just part of the story visible on the surface.

There may be other considerations that have not been shared with the public. Here is where the public has strong assumptions behind the exodus, although they do not have the right to convert suspicions into verdicts.

When the Ship Begins to Rock

The timing of their resignations is noteworthy. This event occurred when the public was focused on allegations of illegal wiretapping involving President Prabowo Subianto, implicating several former senior police officials.

According to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit on November 5, 2026, the wiretapping was allegedly conducted unlawfully against the President, state officials, political figures, businesspeople, and various elements of society.

Investigations have identified several suspects, including former police officials.

In such a political atmosphere, various speculations have emerged regarding potential interest relationships among political groups behind the scandal.

PSI has also become a topic of discussion and speculation in public discourse.

Nevertheless, from a political behavior perspective, the momentum of these resignations warrants critical examination.

Do the three truly wish to dedicate themselves more wholly to the state, or are they anticipating a power configuration that may become increasingly unfavorable?

In politics, actions to safeguard one’s reputation do not always have to wait until someone is declared guilty.

Sometimes, distancing oneself from an organization becomes a strategy to avoid the burden of collective reputational risk.