Jember Regional Councillor Reveals Reason for Playing Games During Meeting

Achmad Syahri As Siddiqi, a member of the Jember Regency DPRD, has admitted that his actions of playing a game while smoking during a plenary session were motivated by the need to feed virtual cows in an agricultural simulation game. “I asked for the reason behind his gaming, and he said he had forgotten to feed the cows in the farming game,” stated Hanan Kuklag Ratmono, Chairman of the Gerindra Faction in the Jember DPRD, following a faction meeting in East Java on Monday.

Ratmono noted that the faction has ensured the matter is being addressed internally. As Syahri is a member of the Gerindra Faction, he has already undergone an ethics hearing at the Party Honour Council (MKP) in Jakarta, resulting in a final severe warning. “We will remain strictly aligned with that decision. If Syahri commits a similar error, a heavier sanction—dismissal from the Jember DPRD—will follow,” he added.

He further explained that disciplinary guidance is not only being applied to Achmad Syahri but will be extended to all Gerindra Faction members in the Jember DPRD should similar violations occur. Meanwhile, Syahri was absent from two plenary session agendas on Monday afternoon, which included the Draft Regional Regulation on the 2026 Regional Regulation Formation Programme (Propemperda) and the report on the 2026 first recess results. Syahri informed other council members that he was feeling unwell, preventing his attendance.

Previously, Syahri, who went viral due to video footage of him smoking and playing games on his mobile phone during a meeting, expressed deep regret and apologised for his behaviour. He admitted to a lapse in judgement during a formal meeting regarding health issues within the DPRD Commission, stating it was a first-time occurrence. “I am deeply regretful for doing that and will not repeat it,” he said. Despite his apology, the Gerindra Party’s severe warning remains in effect, while institutional sanctions from the Jember DPRD are currently awaiting a decision from the Ethics Committee (BK).