The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has issued decrees that formalize dismissal of popular figures Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Bobby Nasution, along with 24 other cadres from the party’s membership after months of verbal noise in public.

Decrees on the dismissal of former president Jokowi, his Vice president son Gibran, and North Sumatra governor-elect Bobby were read by Chairman of PDI-P’s Honor Council Komarudin Watubun before the party’s branch executives nationwide on Monday, December 16, 2024. Komarudin was accompanied by Chief Treasurer Olly Dondokambey, Head of PDI-P Election Winning Board (Bappilu) Bambang Wuryanto and Said Abdullah in the evet.

On the occasion, Komarudin read out three different decrees, namely Decree No. 1649 on Jokowi’s dismissal, Decree No. 1650 on Gibran’s, and Decree No. 1651 on Bobby’s, all of which were signed by PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri on December 4, 2024.

"Imposing organizational sanctions in the form of dismissal to Joko Widodo from PDI-P membership. Second, prohibiting him from carrying out activities and holding any position in the name of PDI-P," Komarudin said while reading the decree.

Other PDI-P leaders were not present at the event, including Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and Deputy Chairperson Puan Maharani.

The Monday’s event only formalized the announcement made by Hasto in a press conference at the PDI-P Party School in Jakarta on December 4, 2024. The decision, according to Hasto, was the result of an evaluation on party cadres’ discipline and loyalty since the February 14, 2024 Presidential Election until the November 27, 2024 simultaneous regional elections.

Hasto cited that the decision to dismiss them was rooted in alleged disciplinary violations. Several cadres were accused of supporting candidate pairs outside those nominated by PDI-P, including political attitudes that were deemed inconsistent with party values. The announcement of all the dismissed 27 cadres will be made on December 17, 2024.

Jokowi's family members and PDI-P

One of the main highlights is the dismissal of former President Jokowi and his family members. Hasto assessed that Jokowi's family was no longer in line with the PDI-P struggle which was rooted in the ideals of founding President Sukarno, who was also father of Megawati.

The PDI-P Surakarta City DPC, where Gibran Rakabuming was registered as a member, has sent a notification letter stating that Gibran's membership was automatically terminated based on the party's Statutes.

In the 2024 Presidential Election, Gibran ran for vice presidency accompanying Prabowo Subianto not on PDI-P’s ticket. The Prabowo-Gibran pair won the 2024 presidential election and were inaugurated as the country’s State leadership duet on October 20, 2024. Gibran’s move was publicly supported by Bobby, whose public support was then considered as going against the party line.

The dismissal of “rebellious” cadres is expected by PDI-P to help strengthen party solidarity ahead of the 2025 Congress. It also serves as a stern warning to other cadres to remain loyal and obedient to party line.