Analysts: Relying Only on Jokowi is Not Enough, PSI Needs a Strong Party Machine at the Grassroots

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Senior Political Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Lili Romli believes that the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) needs to strengthen its party machinery down to the grassroots level and not solely rely on the figure of the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Lili stated that all cadres, officials, and party organs must operate optimally to build organizational strength.

"I believe this is not just for PSI but for all parties; the party machinery must be active. Relying solely on a central figure is insufficient. For PSI, it seems aware that depending on Jokowi alone is not enough," Lili said when contacted by Kompas.com on Saturday (24/10/2026).

She argued that strengthening the party structure, especially at the grassroots level that interacts directly with the community, is crucial for PSI to have a solid support base.

Lili noted that PSI appears to understand that Jokowi's popularity alone is not adequate to sustain the party's strength.

Furthermore, various issues surrounding Jokowi and his family could potentially diminish the support of his followers and loyalists.

"In this context, PSI encourages the party machinery to be active, especially those at the bottom close to the grassroots," Lili said.

However, Lili questioned whether PSI has developed a strong and optimally functioning party machinery.

She pointed out that this problem poses a challenge for PSI, as the party has not yet succeeded in securing seats in the House of Representatives (DPR RI).

"The problem is whether this party machinery has already been established because PSI has consistently failed to gain a seat in Senayan," Lili remarked.

PSI Acknowledges Jokowi's Figure is Not Enough

Previously reported, DPP PSI Chair Ahmad Ali also recognized that Jokowi's popularity alone is insufficient for the party to succeed without strong organizational support.

According to Ahmad Ali, a figure with widespread support needs to be backed by a well-structured party to channel community support effectively through the organization.

"It will be impossible for us to win if we only rely on figures," Ahmad Ali said when met at the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor Regency, West Java, on Saturday (24/10/2026).