Deputy Minister Says Transport Minister Summoned by Prabowo, House Commission V Meeting Postponed

The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V postponed a budget meeting with Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi. The meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday (11/6/2026), was delayed because the minister was unable to attend.

Commission V Chairman Lasarus opened the meeting and immediately informed attendees that the minister could not be present. “We received information this morning that the minister was unable to attend,” Lasarus said.

Lasarus then asked Deputy Transport Minister Suntana to explain the minister’s absence, stressing that time for budget discussions was limited. “Please provide an explanation. Our time is very tight, and this concerns the approval of your indicative budget ceiling. The budget is very important; if it is not approved, according to state finance rules, the ceiling is not yet valid without DPR approval,” Lasarus stated.

Deputy Minister Suntana explained that Minister Dudy Purwagandhi had been summoned by President Prabowo Subianto. “Allow me to explain that the minister is currently meeting the President regarding a matter we are not yet aware of,” Suntana said. “We and other senior officials were instructed to attend this meeting. If given the opportunity to represent him, we will present the prepared materials. We apologise.”

Lasarus accepted the explanation, emphasising that everyone must attend when summoned by the President. “We have all heard that it is urgent because he was called by the President. When the President calls, no one can refuse, including PDIP who are outside the government, right? That is a matter of ethics,” he remarked.

Following a discussion among the leadership and members of Commission V, Lasarus announced that the meeting would be postponed until Wednesday, 17 June 2026. “Because there is no certainty, I propose that we combine the agenda. On Wednesday, we will merge the sessions for Basarnas, BMKG, Housing and Settlement Areas, and Transportation. We are only approving the indicative budget ceiling anyway,” Lasarus said. The forum agreed to the postponement and the new schedule.