PDIP on Sacking Jokowi Defender: Defiance Cannot Be Tolerated

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has officially sacked a party member from Surabaya, Achmad Hidayat, after he allegedly visited the residence of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in Solo and defended him. Achmad was the former Deputy Secretary of the PDIP Surabaya City Branch. The party's decision to dismiss him was based on allegations of several severe violations, including alleged abuse of authority and political maneuvering to defend Jokowi, who was previously expelled from PDIP. The stern sanction is stipulated in PDIP Central Executive Board Decree Number 105/KPTS/DPP/IX/2026, signed directly by Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto in Jakarta on September 4, 2026. The decree initially detailed a series of alleged ethical and disciplinary violations that led to Achmad's expulsion from party membership. These included abuse of authority, soliciting and receiving money for unproven reasons, intimidating party officials, taking party documents without approval, and previously receiving a sanction of dismissal from his position for violating the party's Articles of Association and Bylaws. In addition to these administrative and ethical breaches, Achmad's maneuver of visiting Jokowi's residence after the former president's expulsion from the party also drew the attention of the DPP PDIP. Not only did he visit, but Achmad reportedly made a public statement urging the party to reconsider Jokowi's status as a PDIP cadre. "Mr. Achmad Hidayat visited Joko Widodo's house and a few days later made a statement asking the Party to consider rehabilitating Joko Widodo as a dismissed PDI Perjuangan cadre," the decree reads. The party views Achmad's action as exceeding his authority as a party member and considers his stance an open act of defiance against the party's absolute decision, as Jokowi's expulsion was carried out in accordance with applicable mechanisms and provisions within PDI Perjuangan. Based on the recommendation from the PDIP Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issued on August 28, 2026, the DPP concluded that all of Achmad's actions fall under the category of severe violations. "The actions and attitude of Mr. Achmad Hidayat as stated above have damaged the good name, dignity, authority, and honor of the Party, eroded public trust in the Party, and constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics and Discipline of Party Members categorized as a severe violation," the decree stated. With the issuance of this decision, all of Achmad Hidayat's rights, obligations, and positions within PDIP are officially revoked. He is now strictly prohibited from using the PDIP name, symbols, attributes, or acting in the name of PDIP in any form of political activity. This decision has also been directly forwarded to the DPD PDIP East Java and the DPC PDIP Surabaya City. Source: CNN Indonesia