Arya Wedakarna summoned by DPD Ethics Body over Thailand pageant attendance

The Ethics Body of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Indonesia has announced it will summon Senator Arya Wedakarna to investigate alleged ethical violations. The investigation follows video footage of the Bali-based senator attending the Miss Equality World 2026 pageant, an international transgender beauty contest, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hasby Yusuf, Chairman of the DPD Ethics Body, stated that the inquiry will examine the capacity and purpose of Wedakarna’s attendance. The body aims to determine if his presence, or the use of any official attributes or facilities, impacted the dignity and image of the institution. A specific point of investigation involves reports of a military personnel member providing assistance to the senator during the event, which requires verification against official security and protocol regulations.

Wedakarna has clarified that his attendance was not in his capacity as a DPD member, but rather as a private individual and a representative of Balinese culture, tourism, and Hinduism. The Ethics Body emphasized that while senators have rights as citizens, they must balance personal activities with the ethical responsibilities of public officials.