Ahmad Sahroni to Singapore, Eko Patrio to China. DPR RI Members Left Indonesia During the Protests

Amid these chaos times, some members of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) like Ahmad Sahroni and Eko Patrio reportedly left the country.

Mukhamad Misbakhun was found by Indonesians in Australia that he was joining Sydney Marathon from the race tracing apps during the protest although he denied his participation in the event.

Here’s a look at the reasons and implications behind these departures.

Misbakhun Known Joining Sydney Marathon

In some cases, overseas visits were part of pre-planned official duties. For example, Chairman of Commission XI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, acknowledged that his delegation was already scheduled to be in Australia from August 27 for legitimate engagements.

The meetings with the LPDP scholarship program, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and other financial institutions long before the protests began (liputan6.com).

But, Indonesians in Australia found Misbakhun joined Sydney Marathon in the same time. They caught Misbakhun was joining the marathon through race tracing apps which detect participants’ position in the race.

Despite these valid explanations, the optics were bad. The public perceived these departures as politicians abandoning their duties just as citizens took to the streets to voice frustration, particularly against familial allowances and perceived privilege.

Read Also : Salary and Allowances of DPR RI Members: 27x Higher Than Indonesian Average Minimum Wage (UMR)

Ahmad Sahroni Went to Singapore and Eko Patrio to China

Certain DPR members were accused of fleeing the country amid mounting public anger. Ahmad Sahroni, for instance, was reported to have traveled to Singapore around August 27, just as protesters targeted his residence.

Similarly, Eko Patrio was allegedly spotted in Guangzhou, China, browsing markets while the protests intensified back home. Uya Kuya was also found by Indonesia netizens prepared the flight in airport with his family.

These departures increase public anger. There were widespread accusations of evasion and cowardice, especially as demonstrators ransacked the homes of some lawmakers. Social media erupted with harsh criticism, framing the departures as a betrayal of public trust.

Ahmad Sahroni was Suspended from DPR RI

The backlash was swift. Online users and media commentators labeled the lawmakers’ actions as irresponsibility in the face of a national crisis.

In some cases, these members issued apologies. However, damage to their reputations had already been done. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram were flooded with scorn and calls for accountability.

In response, both Ahmad Sahroni and Nafa Urbach were suspended by their party, NasDem. The party also cited broader backlash over statements perceived as insulting toward protesters.

What the Public Sees and Expects

The situation underscored a growing sentiment: lawmakers should stand with the public, especially during turbulent times not retreat behind diplomatic or personal shields.

As protests intensified over DPR perks and living conditions, the narrative of fleeing representatives deepened the divide between Indonesia’s political elite and its citizens.

Conclusion

While some departures were tied to legitimate official missions, the timing amid nationwide protests made them appear as evasions rather than explanations. The result was widespread public condemnation, reputational damage, and political repercussions for several DPR members.

During the late August 2025 protests, several DPR members reportedly traveled abroad, some citing official business, while others were accused of fleeing to escape public wrath. These escapes of DPR RI members result public anger and looting of DPR RI members’ house.

Ahmad Sahroni’ escape shows that he has no good intention to fix his statement who really hurt Indonesians. He declared that call people who want to disband DPR RI as the stupidest people on earth.