Sahroni Returns to Lead Commission III After Rusdi Masse Defects to PSI

Ahmad Sahroni has been reappointed as Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the NasDem faction during a plenary session to inaugurate the commission’s leadership on Thursday (19 February).

Sahroni replaces Rusdi Masse, who left NasDem to join the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). Previously, Sahroni had been transferred to Commission I, and his position at Commission III, including its leadership role, was taken over by Rusdi Masse at that time.

Now that Rusdi Masse has moved to PSI — which currently holds no seats in the DPR — NasDem is preparing another party cadre as a candidate to replace him through the Inter-Session Replacement (PAW) mechanism for DPR members.

“Ahmad Sahroni will be appointed as Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI, replacing Rusdi Masse. Therefore, as the presiding officer of this meeting, I would like to ask the members of Commission III whether Ahmad Sahroni can be approved for appointment as Deputy Chairman of Commission III,” asked DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad during the session.

“Agreed,” responded the meeting participants.

Sahroni originally served as Deputy Chairman of Commission III. In August last year, he was removed from the position following a series of viral statements he made regarding protesters at the DPR.

Sahroni was subsequently transferred to serve as a member of Commission I, whilst the Deputy Chairman position at Commission III that he vacated was filled by Rusdi Masse Mappasessu.

More recently, Rusdi resigned from NasDem and joined PSI. His name was announced at the opening of the national working meeting (Rakernas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on 29 January.

Rusdi Masse followed one of NasDem’s prominent figures, Ahmad Ali, who has now become PSI’s Daily Chairman.