DPD Ethics Committee to Investigate AWK Regarding Presence at Thailand Transgender Contest
The Ethics Committee (BK) of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia will summon the DPD member from Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Arya Wedakarna (AWK), to request clarification regarding his presence at the Miss Equality World 202ical event in Bangkok, Thailand. AWK’s attendance at the event has come under scrutiny as it is perceived to be related to the promotion of LGBT rights.
As reported by detikNews, the Chairman of the DPD Ethics Committee, Hasby Yusuf, stated that the committee will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The Committee will not only examine circulating news reports or documentation but will also trace the context of AWK’s presence at the event.
Several points to be clarified include the purpose of attending the event, AWK’s capacity while at the location, the parties responsible for the invitation and organisation, the nature of his involvement, and the use of any attributes or facilities related to his position as a member of the DPD RI.
Previously, AWK clarified that he attended the event not as a representative of the DPD RI. He stated that his presence was in a personal capacity and as a figure representing Balinese culture, tourism, and Hinduism.
However, according to Hasby, the status of being a DPD member remains attached even when an individual conducts activities in a personal capacity. Therefore, the public activities of DPD members must still adhere to propriety, the honour of the office, and the impact on the institution’s image.
“Being a member of the DPD RI means carrying the standards of the honour of the office into every public space. However, the Ethics Committee must not draw conclusions based solely on photos, videos, or news reports. What must be examined are the facts, the capacity of the presence, the context of the activity, and whether any ethical provisions have been violated,” said the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, Hasby Yusuf, in a written statement on Friday (3/9/2026).
He stated that if the investigation finds any actions that contravene the Code of Ethics, propriety, the honour of the office, or other applicable provisions for DPD members, the Ethics Committee will take action within its authority.
“The principle of the Ethics Committee is simple: we are not looking for faults in members, but we also cannot turn a blind eye to issues concerning the honour of the institution. Every member has the right to engage in activities as a citizen, but that freedom must go hand in hand with the ethical responsibility of a public official,” he explained.
Ethics Committee Investigating Allegations of TNI Escort
The Committee will also investigate reports regarding the presence of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel providing assistance during the event. The Committee believes this aspect needs to be examined factually and in accordance with the regulations governing the assignment and security of state officials, including the MD3 Law, Law No. 3 of 2025 regarding the TNI, Law No. 9 of 2010 regarding Protocol, and DPD RI Regulation No. 1 of 2024 regarding Rules of Order.
He ensured that the Ethics Committee maintains that decisions will not be based on public opinion pressure or one-sided news reports.
“Our measure is facts, evidence, and ethical provisions. If a violation is proven, the Ethics Committee will take action according to its authority. If no violation is proven, the conclusion will also be determined based on the results of the investigation,” he concluded.