Joko Widodo to announce shock retirement from politics?

Sad news for Widodo fans. Speculation had been rife that the former Indonesian President will announce his retirement from politics, at age 64, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJoko

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouJoko was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouJoko.”
— @DesireePlum, 19 May 2026

“Widodo wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 19 May 2026

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