The Issue Regarding President Jokowi's Plan To Establish A Super Tbk Party Has Been Addressed By Volunteers, Stating That It Will Be Entirely Owned By Its Members

Tempo/Septhia Ryanthie

The Issue Regarding President Jokowi's Plan To Establish A Super Tbk Party Has Been Addressed By Volunteers, Stating That It Will Be Entirely Owned By Its Members

Monday, 17 Feb 2025

Utje Gustav, the head of the Jokowi Presidential Volunteer Corps (Bara JP), elaborated on the seventh President Joko Widodo's concept of establishing a super public company-like political party, akin to a cooperative. Utje indicated that Jokowi aims to enhance public participation within the political framework.

"The super public company political party would be entirely owned by its members, unlike the current model where a few individuals hold control," Utje stated during a phone interview with Tempo on the evening of February 13, 2025. He mentioned that he had previously discussed Jokowi's political plans with him, particularly during a visit to Jokowi's residence in Sumber, Banjarsari District, Solo, Central Java, on December 17, 2024.

Utje noted that he had advised Jokowi, even while he was still in office, against taking on the role of party chairman. "If you become the chairman of a volunteer party that spans all political parties, it could create uncertainty," he remarked.

Earlier, Jokowi had revealed his idea of a super public company political party during an interview with Najwa Shihab. When asked about the possibility of rejoining a political party after parting ways with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Jokowi admitted he had not considered it, despite reports of interest from several parties. He then mentioned the concept of a new political party, stating that the idea still requires further development. "Our desire is to establish a super public company political party, meaning it would be owned by all members," Jokowi said, as quoted from a video on Najwa Shihab's YouTube channel aired on February 11, 2025.

When approached by journalists at his residence yesterday, Jokowi provided a brief response regarding his plans to form a party. "It will be a super open party," he stated.