DPD Ethics Committee to Summon Complainant Arya Wedakarna Regarding Transgender Contest Next Week
The Ethics Committee (BK) of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) will summon Senator from Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Arya Wedakarna, next week following his attendance at the Miss Equality World 2026 transgender contest in Bangkok, Thailand. The DPD Ethics Committee will also invite several organisations and figures who have submitted complaints regarding the case.
“Yes, the summons from the BK to AWK [Arya Wedakarna] is certain; we want it to happen as soon as possible,” said the Chairman of the DPD Ethics Committee, Hasby Yusuf, to reporters on Friday (4/9/2026).
“Hopefully, it will be within the week; since there is an upcoming holiday, it will likely be next week. The summons will not be simultaneous with the complainants; they will be handled separately,” he added.
The DPD ethics body stated that several organisations and figures have submitted complaints regarding Wedakarna. Therefore, the DPD Ethics Committee will also invite the complainants.
“In addition, we have listed public complaints regarding the AWK case, as the BK will also schedule invitations for the organisations and figures who filed the complaints,” he noted.
One of the complainants against Arya Wedakarna is from Muhammadiyah Bali. Hasby stated that the summons for the complainants will also take place next week.
“Yes, that is correct, from Muhammeadyah Bali, but there are many others; it is not just Muhammadiyah, there are many individuals and other religious groups as well,” he said.
Hasby Yusuf stated that his office intends for the summons of Arya Wedakarna to be conducted as soon as possible. He has not yet specified the exact day for the summons.
“I will check the timing again, as it must be coordinated with the members of the BK to ensure the summons does not overlap with the working visit schedules of BK members serving in other parliamentary bodies,” he explained.
Arya Wedakarna’s presence at the Miss Equality World 2026 transgender beauty pageant has drawn significant public scrutiny. The attention intensified after photos circulated on social media showing Arya Wedakarna, accompanied by an aide in Indonesian Navy uniform, attending the event.
Arya asserted that his presence at the event was not in his capacity as a DPD member representing Bali. Arya claimed he received an invitation from an organisation known for conducting charitable activities.
According to Arya, he was informed that Bali would receive an award for its tourism. His presence there, he stated, was as a tourism figure.
“So the chronology is, mid-year this year, in June. I was at my residence in Jembrana. Representing myself personally and also as a Hindu cultural figure. We received the committee, known as the MS Organization. They have networks in 15 countries and frequently conduct charity activities in Bali—social activities, such as that. As a guest, we received them,” Arya told reporters on Wednesday (2/9).