Buleleng DPRD Plenary Delayed by Two Hours Amid Low Attendance

An unusual scene was visible at the plenary session of the Buleleng Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Thursday (9/7/2026). A number of seats for Buleleng DPRD members were empty during the meeting. The session also ran two hours late.

The plenary session was scheduled to hear faction views on two draft regional regulations (raperda). Speculation emerged that some legislators were absent due to the dynamics surrounding deliberation of the regulations. However, Buleleng DPRD Chairman Ketut Ngurah Arya denied this assumption.

Arya stressed that the many empty seats were not caused by disagreements within the Buleleng DPRD. According to him, all absent members had submitted official leave requests.

“Since yesterday, several colleagues have asked for permission because some are attending cremation ceremonies. There are also five people who are ill and unable to attend,” said Arya.

Arya assured that the absence of more than a dozen members did not affect the proceedings because the number of attendees met the quorum requirement. A total of 32 people attended the plenary session out of 45 Buleleng DPRD members.

“Our quorum is more than 23 members. Thirty-two were present, so the session remains valid. All those absent also submitted leave letters,” said Arya.

Arya also rejected suggestions that the empty seats were linked to the dynamics that caused the meeting to run approximately two hours late. According to him, the delay occurred because the Buleleng DPRD leadership held internal discussions regarding the factions’ views on the plenary agenda.

In addition, the council was still aligning perceptions with the executive branch regarding deliberation of the draft regional regulations, so that day’s plenary session only presented faction views and had not yet drawn any conclusions.

“All factions were present, and the faction chairs were also in attendance,” Arya asserted.