Viral MPR Quiz Competition: Correct Answer Wrongly Penalised by Judges

A video showing the final round of the Four Pillars of the MPR RI Quiz Competition in West Kalimantan Province (Kalbar) has gone viral on social media. In the event, the judges gave different scores for the same answer.

Initially, the host posed a buzzer question for three competing groups. The question concerned the process of selecting members of the Financial Audit Agency (BPK).

“The BPK leadership is elected from and by its members. However, to become a BPK member, ties to regional representation are maintained. In selecting BPK members, the DPR is required to consider input from which institution?” asked the host, quoted from the MPR YouTube channel on Monday (11/5).

Group C from SMAN 1 Pontianak buzzed in first and was invited to answer.

One participant answered that BPK members are selected by the People’s Representative Council (DPR) taking into account considerations from the Regional Representative Council (DPD) and inaugurated by the President.

“BPK members are selected by the People’s Representative Council taking into account considerations from the Regional Representative Council and inaugurated by the President,” said the participant from Group C.

One of the judges, Head of the Assessment Bureau of the MPR Secretariat General, Dyastasita, gave Group C a score of -5 for that answer. The question was then repeated, and Group B from SMAN 1 Sambas answered it. Group B’s answer was the same as Group C’s.

“BPK members are selected by the People’s Representative Council taking into account considerations from the Regional Representative Council and inaugurated by the President,” said the participant from Group B.

The same judge then awarded 10 points for the answer.

“Yes, the essence of the answer is correct. Score of 10,” said Dyastasita.

The next question was about to proceed, but participants from Group C protested, noting that their initial answer was the same as Group B’s.

“Excuse me, earlier we answered the same as Group B. The same,” said Group C.

However, Dyastasita claimed that Group C’s answer did not include the Regional Representative Council.

“Earlier, for Group C, the consideration from the DPD was not there. Just DPR,” said Dyastasita.

Group C protested again, stating that their initial answer had included the Regional Representative Council. But Dyastasita stood firm.

“So the judging panel opined that there was no mention of the Regional Representative Council,” said Dyastasita.

Group C continued to protest and requested that the judges ask the audience whether their answer included the DPD.

However, Dyastasita stated that the decision remained with the judging panel.

Another judge, Head of the Secretariat of the MPR Socialisation Agency, Indri Wahyuni, instead advised participants to clarify their articulation when answering questions.

“Like this, you’ve been warned from the start, right? Articulation is important. So, get used to answering with clear articulation. If you think it’s clear, but the judging panel deems it not because they didn’t hear your articulation clearly, then the judging panel has the right to give -5. So once again, we warn you to pay attention to articulation,” said Indri Wahyuni.

CNNIndonesia.com has requested clarification from MPR Secretary General Siti Fauziah and several MPR leaders, namely Hidayat Nur Wahid and Eddy Soeparno, regarding the incident. However, they have yet to respond.