Home Affairs Minister Tito Explains Reasons for Missing Five Commission II DPR Meetings
Commission II DPR RI Chairman Rifqinizamy Karsayuda raised the issue of Home Affairs Minister (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian’s absence from DPR meetings. Mendagri Tito Karnavian then explained the reasons for his five absences from the DPR.
“I am the one who most frequently raises the issue of Mr Mendagri’s absences, and every time I mention it, within five minutes some media outlets report on Mr Mendagri,” said Commission II Chairman Rifqinizamy during the meeting on Monday (30/3/2026).
“Once again, I do not intend to discredit Mr Mendagri; I am simply expressing a longing that is hard to articulate, and if not expressed through this forum, it would not be said,” he added.
Tito then explained his absences from the DPR. He stated that at the same time, there were urgent events, and it was not his intention to disrespect the DPR RI.
“Specifically regarding what may have been displeasing, related to my five absences, I absolutely did not intend to show disrespect or lack of appreciation for Commission II DPR,” said Tito.
He mentioned that Commission II DPR events often coincide with invitations from President Prabowo. He said that in the President’s events, only a few ministers are involved.
“So far, I have always been diligent in attending and usually on time. However, on several occasions, we were absent because we received invitations, which I often informed the leadership about two days in advance,” said Tito.
“And then the commission event also coincides with the President’s event that I must attend, for example, the People’s School in Bekasi, where the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs is very important, and only a few ministers were invited, besides the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education because the Ministry of Home Affairs also plays a role in the People’s School,” he continued.
Tito also mentioned his duties as Head of the Disaster Response Task Force. Tito said that when receiving invitations from Commission II, he was often in disaster-affected areas.
“We have also informed that after being appointed as Head of the Disaster Task Force, even before the disaster, from the beginning of 29 November, I was ordered by Mr President to go to the field in the very extensive disaster areas across three provinces,” said Tito.
“And at that time, I was almost possibly spending 3-4 days in a week travelling around Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, until I was appointed as Head of the Task Force. And so, sometimes I receive invitations via WhatsApp from my staff to convey two days before the event starts. I receive it on Saturday for Monday, whereas at that time I was in the middle of the forest,” he added.