Jember DPRD Council Member Plays Game and Smokes During Meeting, Sanctions Prepared

Jember DPRD Chairman Abdul Halim has issued an apology after one of the members of Commission D, A Syahri Assidiqi, was recorded on camera allegedly playing a game while smoking during an Opinion Hearing Meeting (RDP). Halim assured that the individual will be processed ethically through the Jember DPRD Honour Council (BK).

The unseemly action previously went viral on social media. In the circulating video clip, the council member named Syahri appeared engrossed in moving his fingers on his mobile phone screen as if playing a game during the Commission D meeting discussing health services on Monday (11/5).

“On behalf of the Jember DPRD leadership, we apologise for the actions of our member. Of course, there will be a process regarding DPRD ethics. And we have also reprimanded the individual,” said Halim when confirmed on Wednesday (13/5).

Halim explained that the handling of this violation will follow the formal mechanisms in the Jember DPRD. He mentioned the potential for administrative sanctions up to disciplinary sanctions for Syahri or other members if they violate the code of ethics.

“The process will then be handled by the BKD (Council Honour Body). Institutionally, there may be administrative sanctions or disciplinary sanctions,” he stated.

Not only at the institutional level, Halim, who also serves as Chairman of the Jember Gerindra DPC, revealed that the member is a new cadre in his faction. The party’s internal side is not staying silent and plans to escalate the issue to higher leadership levels.

“Of course, we will report it to the leadership (DPD/DPP),” he said.

Furthermore, Halim emphasised that Gerindra has disciplinary rules for every cadre. This incident will serve as serious evaluation material for the faction.

“We will process it according to the applicable provisions both in the party and the institution. From the party, it will certainly be addressed through reprimands, administrative sanctions, or membership disciplinary sanctions,” Halim stressed.

In the near future, the Jember DPRD has scheduled a summons for the individual. The aim is to obtain direct clarification and demand a public apology from Syahri to the public.

“It’s not just advice; we will summon him for the clarification process. At minimum, he should express an apology. This will be a note for us because our party implements a strict disciplinary system,” he said.