ICW Criticises DPR for Reinstating Sahroni as Commission III Deputy Chair
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has criticised the reappointment of Ahmad Sahroni as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR). ICW's Head of Advocacy Division, Egi Primayogha, said Sahroni does not deserve to be reinstated as a leader of the legal affairs commission due to his controversial track record — specifically, remarks that triggered a wave of demonstrations in August 2025.
Egi expressed confidence that the public has not forgotten Sahroni's statement calling those who championed the idea of dissolving the DPR "fools". Moreover, Egi noted, it was Sahroni's remarks that ignited public fury, causing protests to spread across various regions of Indonesia in August 2025.
"His track record shows that he is not only unfit to return as a commission leader in the DPR, but also to hold any public office as a people's representative," Egi said in a written statement on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Egi also assessed that the DPR's decision to appoint Sahroni to the Commission III leadership position reflects a betrayal of the struggle of demonstrators who became victims during the August 2025 protests, as many of those protesters have yet to receive justice to this day.
He further argued that the return of the NasDem Party politician to Senayan demonstrates the failure of political parties to carry out their cadre development function. Egi deemed Sahroni, who serves as NasDem Party Treasurer, unworthy of returning as a DPR member.
"NasDem Party has failed in its cadre development and at the same time has not stood by the principles of justice, public ethics, and accountability," Egi said.
Sahroni was appointed as Deputy Chair of Commission III from NasDem Party to replace Rusdi Masse Mappasessu during a plenary meeting in the Commission III hearing room in Jakarta on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Previously, Sahroni had been transferred from his position as Deputy Chair of Commission III for the 2024–2029 term and reassigned as a member of Commission I on 29 August 2025. The transfer was made following Sahroni's remarks that provoked public anger and triggered demonstrations across various regions.
The DPR Ethics Council (MKD) addressed the alleged ethics code violation arising from Sahroni's statements. The MKD ruling, read out on 5 November 2025, found Sahroni guilty and imposed a sanction of suspension from DPR membership for six months. However, Sahroni's suspension was declared to have concluded in early February 2026.
DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed that Ahmad Sahroni had returned to active duty as a legislator after serving his six-month suspension. Separately, NasDem Party Deputy Chair Saan Mustopa claimed that his party had followed the sanction enforcement mechanism established by the MKD. Saan expressed confidence that the MKD had granted permission for Sahroni to resume work at Senayan.
"So, if the DPR leadership has already confirmed it, then there should be no issue at the MKD," Saan said at the DPR on Thursday.
Egi expressed confidence that the public has not forgotten Sahroni's statement calling those who championed the idea of dissolving the DPR "fools". Moreover, Egi noted, it was Sahroni's remarks that ignited public fury, causing protests to spread across various regions of Indonesia in August 2025.
"His track record shows that he is not only unfit to return as a commission leader in the DPR, but also to hold any public office as a people's representative," Egi said in a written statement on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Egi also assessed that the DPR's decision to appoint Sahroni to the Commission III leadership position reflects a betrayal of the struggle of demonstrators who became victims during the August 2025 protests, as many of those protesters have yet to receive justice to this day.
He further argued that the return of the NasDem Party politician to Senayan demonstrates the failure of political parties to carry out their cadre development function. Egi deemed Sahroni, who serves as NasDem Party Treasurer, unworthy of returning as a DPR member.
"NasDem Party has failed in its cadre development and at the same time has not stood by the principles of justice, public ethics, and accountability," Egi said.
Sahroni was appointed as Deputy Chair of Commission III from NasDem Party to replace Rusdi Masse Mappasessu during a plenary meeting in the Commission III hearing room in Jakarta on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Previously, Sahroni had been transferred from his position as Deputy Chair of Commission III for the 2024–2029 term and reassigned as a member of Commission I on 29 August 2025. The transfer was made following Sahroni's remarks that provoked public anger and triggered demonstrations across various regions.
The DPR Ethics Council (MKD) addressed the alleged ethics code violation arising from Sahroni's statements. The MKD ruling, read out on 5 November 2025, found Sahroni guilty and imposed a sanction of suspension from DPR membership for six months. However, Sahroni's suspension was declared to have concluded in early February 2026.
DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed that Ahmad Sahroni had returned to active duty as a legislator after serving his six-month suspension. Separately, NasDem Party Deputy Chair Saan Mustopa claimed that his party had followed the sanction enforcement mechanism established by the MKD. Saan expressed confidence that the MKD had granted permission for Sahroni to resume work at Senayan.
"So, if the DPR leadership has already confirmed it, then there should be no issue at the MKD," Saan said at the DPR on Thursday.