Indonesia's ex-president Widodo, son ousted by party

Effective from signing of dismissal letter, Democratic Party of Struggle central committee bears no responsibility for any actions taken by Widodo, says head of party

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Indonesia's former President Joko Widodo, his son Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and his son-in-law Bobby Nasution were officially expelled from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) on Monday after a year-long rift that began before the presidential election.

PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri signed their dismissal letters on Dec. 14, according to party sources.

"Effective from the signing of the dismissal letter, the PDI-P central committee bears no responsibility for any actions taken by Joko Widodo," stated Komaruddin Watubun, head of PDI-P’s Council of Honor.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who had been supported by PDI-P throughout his political career, fell out with the party after Gibran joined rival candidate Prabowo Subianto's ticket in October.

Despite Jokowi’s two-term presidency with PDI-P's support, his backing of Prabowo angered the party, as did Gibran and Bobby's alignment with Prabowo’s Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).

Bobby is now running in the North Sumatra gubernatorial race against PDI-P’s nominee.

Along with the family members, 27 other PDI-P executives were also expelled.

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