Brawl Erupts at Riau DPRD Budget Meeting, Golkar Apologises

A budget meeting at the Riau Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) involving the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD) on Thursday (16/7) was marred by a physical altercation. The commotion erupted after the Budget Committee meeting around 2.30 p.m. local time, with a verbal dispute escalating into a brawl between the faction of Deputy Speaker Parisman Ikhwan and Commission V Chairman Indra Gunawan, both from the Golkar Party. Witnesses reported that objects were thrown and punches exchanged after the meeting with the provincial government’s TAPD concluded. “The commotion was between Mr Parisman’s faction and Mr Indra Gunawan Eet. It happened suddenly and they just started arguing,” a witness told detikSumut. DPRD Riau Chairman Kedersimanto later confirmed the situation was under control, attributing the clash to a misunderstanding.

Golkar Party Deputy Chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia strongly condemned the brawl, calling it “embarrassing.” He stressed that elected representatives should set a good example and resolve issues through rational dialogue rather than emotion and physical confrontation. Doli stated that the incident was triggered by Eet cornering Parisman during the budget discussion, which provoked an emotional response. He expressed regret that the viral video of the incident had become a public spectacle, noting that fellow Golkar members should safeguard the party’s reputation and solidarity. Doli conveyed the party’s apology to the public, particularly the people of Riau, for the discomfort caused by the incident.