Agam. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo affirmed that his relationship with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remains positive, even as some of his family members leave the party.

The most recent family member to depart from PDI-P is Jokowi's son-in-law, Bobby Nasution, who officially joined the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) on Monday, following in the footsteps of Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's oldest son. Gibran was removed from PDI-P after he became the running mate of Prabowo Subianto in the presidential election, where they are competing against Ganjar Pranowo from PDI-P.

PDI-P has been instrumental in supporting Jokowi through two presidential terms and in advancing the political careers of vice president-elect Gibran and Bobby. Bobby was elected mayor of Medan, and Gibran became mayor of Solo about four years ago, both with the support of PDI-P.

Bobby said he received permission from his father-in-law to leave PDI-P and join Gerindra.

Commenting briefly on Bobby's decision to join Gerindra, led by president-elect Prabowo Subianto, Jokowi said, "He is an adult, responsible, and independent," during a visit to victims of cold lava floods in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, on Tuesday.

Previously, Bobby, husband of Kahiyang Ayu, had taken the registration form to run for North Sumatra governor from the National Mandate Party (PAN) on Saturday. Additionally, Bobby received a mandate from the Golkar Party to contest in the regional elections in November 2024.

President Jokowi emphasized that, as a parent, he can only offer his best prayers.

During the same occasion, President Jokowi also stressed that his relationship with DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, daughter of PDI-P Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, remains strong. This was evident when President Jokowi inaugurated the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali.

The president was seen chatting and smiling with Puan Maharani. When asked if their closeness signaled a reconciliation process between him and PDI-P Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, Jokowi replied that he has long been close with Puan Maharani.

Meanwhile, Puan has kept the content of their discussion confidential. "We had a lot of private conversations, and as you can see from our faces, President Jokowi and I were smiling," Puan said on Monday.

Said Abdullah, Chairman of the PDI-P Central Executive Board, viewed the meeting between DPR Speaker Puan Maharani and President Jokowi at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali as exemplary.

"This shows the world that despite any differences, Indonesian leaders can unite, especially on strategic matters," he said in a statement issued on Monday.

"This also proves Puan's mature leadership. She doesn't get carried away by emotions and knows how to conduct herself properly," Said emphasized.

Puan also mentioned that she met with President-elect Prabowo Subianto earlier that morning. They communicated briefly. Puan attended the WWF 2024 to inaugurate the Fair and Expo.

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