Interior Minister Explains Reasons for Previous Absences from Meetings with DPR RI Commission II

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Interior Minister Tito Karnavian has explained the reasons for his absence, at least five times, from meetings with DPR RI Commission II. During a working meeting with DPR RI Commission II at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, Tito stated that he was unable to attend previous meetings due to other obligations. The other duties referred to by Tito include accompanying President Prabowo Subianto’s working visits and inspecting disaster-affected areas at the end of last year in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. “The Commission’s events also coincided with the President’s events that I had to attend, for example, the People’s School in Bekasi, where the role of the Interior Ministry is very important, and only a few ministers were invited,” he said. Tito recounted that he was asked by President Prabowo to go directly since the flash floods and landslides hit northern Sumatra at the end of November 2025. “At that time, I was almost certainly travelling for 3–4 days in a week around Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, until I was appointed as the Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Sumatra Disaster,” he said. In addition, Tito mentioned that invitations to DPR meetings were often not sent far in advance. “I received it on Saturday for Monday, even though at that time I was in the middle of the forest,” he said. Although he could not attend in person, Tito assigned deputy ministers to attend the meetings with the commission handling domestic governance. “Almost all of them I asked the three deputy ministers to attend,” he said. He further emphasised that his absence from previous meetings was not a form of disrespect to the legislators, let alone to avoid them. He also apologised for any inconveniences caused. “Once again, we apologise if there are any inconveniences. There is absolutely no intention of disrespect, but that is what we convey happened,” said Interior Minister Tito. Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission II of the DPR, Muhammad Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, appreciated the presence of Interior Minister Tito at this working meeting. “We express our highest thanks and appreciation, as well as the heaviest sense of missing, especially to Mr Interior Minister who is able to attend Commission II of the DPR RI today,” he said at the beginning of the meeting. Rifqi admitted to often mentioning the absence of Interior Minister Tito. However, he emphasised, “Not intending to discredit Mr Interior Minister, just expressing a sense of missing that is hard to convey.” On this Monday, Commission II of the DPR RI held a working meeting and hearing with Interior Minister Tito Karnavian, who is also the Head of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) RI, and Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN) Basuki Hadimuljono. The meeting agenda included presentations and oversight of the work programmes of the Interior Ministry, BNPP, and IKN Authority for 2026, as well as follow-up on the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) examination for 2025.