Malang Regent Appoints Son as Department Head, PDI-P: If in Line with Regulations, It Is Unfair to Block It

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - PDI-P’s DPP Chairman Deddy Sitorus responded to public scrutiny regarding the appointment of the Malang Regent’s son as Head of the Environmental Agency. He emphasised that everyone has equal rights to hold positions as long as they meet the requirements and go through the applicable mechanisms. “If everything is in accordance with norms and rules, it is unfair to block someone’s rights that have been obtained through the existing mechanisms. So, let it be examined by the competent authorities such as BKN or Kemenpan RB,” Deddy said when contacted on Friday (17/4/2026). The Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives admitted that ethically, accusations of nepotism in cases like this are hard to avoid. Therefore, the appointment process needs to be accounted for openly. “What is not allowed is if the position is obtained due to family relations, cronyism, and exploiting power in ways that contradict the rules and existing mechanisms,” he said. “Indeed, ethically, it will be difficult to escape nepotism accusations, so it may need to be accounted for and properly audited,” he added. The appointment has drawn public attention because one of the officials appointed is his biological son, Ahmad Dzulfikar Nurrahman, as Head of the Environmental Agency. In response to the public attention, Dzulfikar said he understands the public’s concerns given his status as the regent’s son. He also expressed an apology because his appointment has triggered public attention. However, Dzulfikar emphasised that he would answer the criticism through performance. “I cannot give any response, except through performance,” he said.