Grace Natalie: PSI is Still a Small Party, Don't Be Afraid or Intimidated

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Grace Natalie, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), stated that PSI is a small party that is still fighting.

Therefore, there should be no one who fears PSI.

This statement came in response to remarks from the 7th President Joko Widodo, who mentioned that some parties are afraid of PSI.

"So please pray for us, don’t be afraid or intimidated because PSI is still a small party that is struggling," Grace said after watching the movie "Istimewa" with PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep and other officials in Central Jakarta on Sunday (27/9/2026).

She revealed that PSI has never exceeded the parliamentary threshold since actively participating in elections.

For this reason, she expressed gratitude that Jokowi chose to join a party when many "red carpets" were laid out for him.

"I believe many are laying out red carpets. But what he chose was a small party that has never passed into Senayan and whose struggle is still long," Grace stated.

Regarding the proposed increase of the parliamentary threshold to 5 percent for the 2029 elections, she mentioned that they are following Jokowi's direction.

Jokowi has stated his readiness to meet whatever threshold will be set.

She feels that raising the threshold is not necessarily an effort to thwart others.

However, PSI favors the concept of a faction threshold over a parliamentary one.

"Historically, we have actually preferred the concept of a faction threshold so that no votes are wasted. But those who make the rules are the ones inside; we only follow along. So however high it is, we are ready and we will fight together," Grace concluded.

Previously, it was reported that Jokowi mentioned that PSI's existence is now beginning to be taken into account and is even feared by political opponents.

This was said by Jokowi during his address to PSI cadres at the DPD City of Bandung Coordination Meeting at the Grand Pasundan Hotel, Jalan Peta, on Saturday (26/9/2026).

Jokowi emphasized that PSI's status as a new party should not hinder its performance on the national political stage.

"Even though PSI is a new party, many are now afraid of it," he explained.

On that occasion, Jokowi also urged PSI cadres in Bandung City to not only focus on completing their organizational structure but also to actively engage with the community and build networks with various groups and leaders.

"The structure in Bandung City, DPC is 100 percent complete. DPRt is also 100 percent complete. Why I and the Chairman came is because Bandung is already 100 percent," Jokowi said.