Jakarta. Senior politician Maruarar Sirait officially parted ways with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) on Monday, declaring his allegiance to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Maruarar's departure further underscores the growing discord between Jokowi and the ruling party, particularly after the president's son also left the PDI-P to join a rival candidate as a running mate in the upcoming February 14 presidential election.

With Jokowi ineligible for re-election due to constitutional term limits, his support for PDI-P's candidate Ganjar Pranowo is uncertain, especially since his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has joined Prabowo Subianto's campaign.

"I have made my political choice to align with Mr. Jokowi for the next journey," Maruarar told reporters in Jakarta. “He has made significant contributions to the country, employing a no-nonsense approach to combat radicalism, aiding the impoverished, nationalizing Freeport, and spearheading the relocation of the national capital to promote wealth distribution.”

Maruarar bid farewell to PDI-P leaders at the party’s headquarters on Dipenogoro Street in Central Jakarta, surrendering his membership card.

PDI-P Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, in a statement, acknowledged Maruarar's departure, emphasizing that party membership is voluntary.

“Party membership is based on a voluntary principle, so is the parting,” Hasto said.

Maruarar, who has served as a House of Representatives member for 15 years, is not the only prominent PDI-P figure to leave the party ahead of the election. In August, former Representative Budiman Sudjatmiko was dismissed by PDI-P after openly expressing support for Prabowo’s presidential bid.