Parliamentary Journalists Coordinator Reports Deddy Sitorus to Ethics Council Over 'Circus' Remark

The Parliamentary Journalists Coordinator (KWP) has reported Member of Commission II of the DPR RI, Deddy Sitorus, to the DPR Ethics Council (MKD) following the controversy surrounding his use of the word ‘circus’ regarding journalists covering a meeting in the Commission II room.

KWP Vice Chairman for Administration, Erwin Syahlagputra Siregar, stated that the report has been registered with the MKD under number 78. He explained that the KWP decided to proceed with the report because the lawmaker refused to issue a public apology.

“We have requested that he issue an open apology, but he stated that he would not do so. Based on that, we have taken the step of submitting a letter to the MKD to report Mr Deddy Yevri H Sitorus,” Erwin said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Friday.

He added that the KWP’s sole intention is to protect the dignity of journalists working within the DPR RI environment to ensure they are not looked down upon. Regarding Deddy’s rebuttal, Erwin noted, “That can be addressed later at the MKD.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the DPR Ethics Council, Nazaruddin Dek Gam, confirmed that his office has received the report and may summon Deddy for clarification. “For the MKD, whoever it is, everyone is treated equally,” Dek Gam stated.

He explained that during the meeting, he had said, “Chairperson, please organise the room; there are many people standing here despite there being a balcony above. We are like a circus here.”

In a written statement, Deddy clarified that the remark was not directed at journalists or any specific group or individual, but was instead referring to the crowded situation in the meeting room where people were congregating in the middle of the room while the meeting was in progress.