Jember DPRD Member Goes Viral for Smoking During Meeting, Gerindra Responds

The Chairman of the Jember Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), Ahmad Halim, has assured that there will be firm sanctions against a member of Commission D of the DPRD, A. Syahri Assidiqi, following the viral video of him playing a game and smoking during a public hearing on health issues. “First, on behalf of the Jember DPRD leadership, we extend our apologies, and the matter will be processed as it concerns the ethics of the DPRD institution,” said Halim, quoted by Antara on Tuesday (12/5). The Commission D DPRD Jember member was allegedly playing a game and smoking during a public hearing with the Health Office, dozens of Community Health Centre heads, and BPJS Health, discussing measles issues, maternal and infant mortality rates, and stunting in the DPRD Deliberative Body room on Monday (11/5). “We regret the conduct of the councillor for failing to uphold discipline, behaviour, and decorum in the meeting room,” he stated. He explained that the case will be referred to the Jember DPRD Honour Board (BK), where the errors committed by the councillor will be examined, ensuring institutional administrative sanctions. Gerindra to Sanction Him Not only sanctions from the DPRD BK, but Syahri will also face sanctions from the Gerindra party. “Not only sanctions from the DPRD, but the party will also impose disciplinary sanctions because the councillor is a member of our Gerindra party faction,” said Halim, who is also the Chairman of the Gerindra Jember DPC. He explained that the councillor is a new member who has never attended the party’s cadre training process in Hambalang, and the matter will be reported to the leadership in accordance with regulations. “Clearly, the councillor who was playing a game during the public hearing will receive firm sanctions from the DPRD and the political party in accordance with applicable rules,” he affirmed. He added that they will summon the councillor for clarification, and he must apologise to the public for his undisciplined actions. Meanwhile, A. Syahri Assidiqi, the Commission D DPRD Jember member caught on camera playing a game and smoking in the air-conditioned room, has not yet been reached for confirmation on the matter.