Mohammad Said, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo did not immediately deny rumors suggesting that he has switched allegiance from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) – which had enabled him to win two presidential terms – to the National Mandate Party (PAN) when questioned by reporters on Monday.

When asked about his alleged move to PAN during a visit to Ancol Sentiong, North Jakarta, the president responded, "PAN is part of the government coalition, so the party is part of the family, and we also become part of the PAN family."

PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan was the one who asserted that the president is now a member of the party.

During a rally in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday, Zulkifli told his supporters, "Mr. Jokowi now belongs to PAN. He is no longer with the old party due to endless rifts."

This marks the first time that Jokowi has been associated with a PAN campaign to attract voters. PAN had been on the opposing side during Jokowi's victories in the last two presidential elections and only joined the pro-government coalition midway through the president's second term.

Additionally, Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, bid farewell to the PDI-P after becoming a running mate for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, who is a rival to PDI-P's candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, for the February 14 election.

Meanwhile, his son-in-law, Bobby Nasution, faces possible dismissal from the PDI-P for supporting Prabowo.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jokowi-rumored-to-switch-parties-to-pa