Bali Council Questions MDA Bali Chairman's Persistent Absence from Hearings

Commission I of the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) has questioned the absence of Bali Traditional Village Council (MDA) Chairman Ida Penglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet from every hearing invitation at the Bali DPRD building. This was raised by several commission members, including Commission I Chairman I Nyoman Budiutama, during a hearing with law enforcement agencies on Monday (13/7/2026). Budiutama and other commission members questioned the reason for Sukahet’s persistent absence when invited by the DPRD, particularly as the day’s discussion concerned criminalisation levels in several areas directly intersecting with traditional villages. “This MDA matter is a note for us from the institution because, as far as we can trace, Commission I has invited the MDA five times. This relates to maintaining security and order, but they keep sending representatives. This is a concern,” Budiutama stated. He considered Sukahet’s presence important for discussions on the involvement of traditional villages in formulating pararem (customary rules). He felt that the chairman should not always be represented by other members. “The aim is also to prevent criminality in each village. That is why it is important for the MDA to be present on this occasion,” he said. The Head of Population, Territory, and Community Affairs at MDA Bali, I Made Wena, explained that Sukahet was out of town, hence he was represented by the relevant division heads. “It is certainly a priority. But we are a collective collegial institution. Even if he were present, I would also attend to accompany him, because he would be accompanied by the relevant division,” he stated.