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Sanctioned lawmaker Ahmad Sahroni reinstated after August unrest

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Jakarta Globe - February 19, 2026

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Legislator Ahmad Sahroni has been formally reinstated as deputy chair of the House of Representatives' Commission III, which oversees law enforcement, marking the end of a months-long disciplinary process stemming from controversial remarks that sparked public outrage and violent unrest last year.

The decision was announced on Thursday during a Commission III meeting at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta by House Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. He asked members whether Sahroni could be approved to resume his leadership role, a motion that was unanimously accepted.

Dasco said the move followed an official letter from the Nasdem Party faction dated Feb. 12, notifying House leaders of changes in Commission III's leadership and other parliamentary assignments. Under the reshuffle, Sahroni replaces Rusdi Masse Mappasessu, who had served as deputy chair while Sahroni was under sanction.

Sahroni thanked House leaders and fellow lawmakers for restoring his position and expressed appreciation to the House Ethics Council for handling his case. "I hope I can do better going forward," he said.

Sahroni was removed from his post in late August 2025 after remarks he made in Medan were widely condemned as insulting to critics of parliament. The Nasdem Party stripped him of his leadership role, reassigned him to another commission and later suspended him from the House altogether. The Ethics Council subsequently imposed a six-month suspension, calculated from the date of the party's decision. That sanction has now expired.

The political fallout was accompanied by a dramatic personal ordeal. In late August 2025, Sahroni's home in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, was attacked, looted and ultimately destroyed during unrest linked to protests against his remarks. What began as a peaceful demonstration escalated after groups from outside the area arrived, smashing gates, ransacking the house and destroying vehicles, including a classic Porsche.

Sahroni later recounted hiding inside his home for nearly an hour before escaping through the back with the help of neighbors. The property was left uninhabitable, with household goods, luxury collectibles, personal documents and cash stolen or destroyed.

In recent months, the remains of the house have been completely demolished, a move Sahroni said was necessary because the structure was beyond repair. He has pledged to rebuild a stronger home on the same site and says he will remain in Tanjung Priok.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/sanctioned-lawmaker-ahmad-sahroni-reinstated-after-august-unres

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