Indonesian president says his son has joined rival party: Report

ISTANBUL

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that his son has joined a rival party, local media reported.


“Naturally, he sought the family's blessing (to join Indonesian Solidarity Party)," Jakarta Globe News quoted the two-time president as saying.


His remarks came after the Indonesian Solidarity Party posted a video on X. The video featured a voice presumably of Kaesang Pangarephas, Jokowi's youngest son.


"Even if I had objected, he would have remained resolute. You know, that’s my son’s character,” Jokowi told reporters on Thursday.


Jokowi, 62, himself represents the governing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and is the seventh president of the largest Muslim-populated nation.


His second and final term will end next year.


Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi’s eldest son, is the mayor of the family hometown of Solo and represents PDI-P.