Ima Dini Shafir, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which is the current powerhouse in terms of political influence, on Monday issued a press conference after the Mayor of Solo and President Joko Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming, met with Prabowo Subianto, who comes from rival political party Gerindra.

Prabowo – who is the current defense minister – was declared as a presidential election candidate by the Jokowi-Gibran volunteers following this meeting that took place in Solo on May 19. This comes as a sensitive issue as PDIP has already chosen its own presidential candidate for the 2024 election in Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo.

PDIP head of honors Komarudin Watubun in the press conference likened Gibran to a sugar that attracts the attention of ants that are positively and negatively motivated.

"I said that Gibran is the sugar among ants. His position attracts ants from all over the place," said Komarudin at the PDIP headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta on May 22.

Gibran's presence in Jakarta came after he was specifically summoned by PDIP secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto due to his meeting with Prabowo.

The Solo Mayor clarified that talks with Hasto and Komaruddin resembled more of a counseling session provided by senior party members to junior members. Due to Gibran's transparency in clarifying his meeting with Prabowo Subianto, Komarudin said the Solo Mayor will not receive any sanctions from PDIP.

"I received so much advice and input today," said Gibran Rakabuming in the press conference. "And I have explained the chronology of the meeting I had previously [with Prabowo]. As a young PDIP member, I will stay true to the instructions of the PDIP chairwoman".

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1728800/pdip-likens-jokowis-son-gibran-to-sugar-circled-with-ant