Formappi Criticises Jember DPRD Member Receiving Only a Reprimand for Smoking During a Session
Researcher from the Forum Masyarakat Peduli Parlemen Indonesia (Formappi), Lucius Karus, believes that the reprimand given to Jember DPRD member Achmad Syahri As-Siddiq for smoking and playing games during a session will not be effective. Achmad was sanctioned by the Gerindra Party’s Honorary Council.
“The reprimand is like a casual chat with party elites. The reprimand is merely a negative term for the party’s positive efforts to defend its cadre,” said Lucius in a statement on Saturday (16/5/2026).
Lucius emphasised that, given the severity of the violation which undermines the dignity of the council, the Gerindra Party should have taken much firmer action. A dismissal or expulsion sanction is considered more appropriate to stop similar arrogance among legislators.
“A harsher sanction in the form of dismissal should be considered to ensure that DPRD members do not feel free to continue practising unethical behaviour,” he added.
Lucius also urged all political parties, not just Gerindra, to immediately improve their cadre recruitment systems from the central to the regional levels with transparent and integrity-based selection processes.
Furthermore, Lucius linked the unethical behaviour of the Jember DPRD member to the phenomenon of widespread abuse of power that is currently occurring. He regretted that many politicians, both in the legislative and executive branches, often act arbitrarily due to weak control from civil society.
Lucius hopes that this moment will become a major evaluation for public officials to return to the core principles of their positions as servants of the people.
The Gerindra Party’s Honorary Council has given a sanction to its cadre, who is a member of the Jember DPRD, Achmad Syahri As-Siddiq. The sanction, a stern and final reprimand, was given because Achmad Syahri smoked and played games during a meeting.
Previously, the Gerindra Party’s Honorary Council read out the decision in a hearing held at the Gerindra Party’s DPP office, Ragunan, South Jakarta, on Friday (15/5/2026). Syahri was found to have violated the party’s AD/ART (Articles of Association/Bylaws).
“Adjudicating. Declaring that Brother Achmad Syahri As-Siddiq, as a Gerindra Party cadre, has been proven to have violated the Gerindra Party’s AD/ART,” said the chairman of the hearing, Fikrah Auliurrahman, while reading out the decision.
In the decision, Fikra stated that Gerindra gave a stern and final reprimand to Syahri. Gerindra stated that this should not be repeated.
“Giving a stern and final reprimand to Brother Achmad Syahri As-Siddiq SE, a member of the Gerindra Party faction in the Jember Regency DPRD,” he explained. (H-4)
The Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Gerindra Party has taken firm action against one of its cadres in Jember.
A video showing the inappropriate behaviour of a Jember DPRD member went viral on social media.
The wife of former Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim, Franka Franklin Makarim, submitted a letter of request for an audience and legal protection to Commission III of the DPR.
Researcher from the Forum Masyarakat Peduli Parlemen Indonesia (Formappi), Lucius Karus, emphasised that Commission III of the DPR RI is not the place to test the legal process.
The legislative body can no longer hide behind an outdated legal framework that is no longer relevant to current economic conditions and the sense of justice.
Lucius revealed that many critical notes submitted by the public were not included in the final draft.Formappi highlighted the DPR RI’s decision to pass the Bill on the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) into law amid public opposition.