JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—PDI-P executive Deddy Yevri Sitorus has denied directing a controversial “circus” remark at journalists during a parliamentary meeting. He said he was instead referring to disorder inside the crowded hearing room.

The clarification came after the Parliamentary Journalists Coordinator (KWP) said it planned to report the PDI-P politician to the House of Representatives’ Ethics Council (MKD). KWP accused him of remarks allegedly demeaning reporters.

The dispute began during an open Commission II working meeting with Home Minister Tito Karnavian and regional officials. This meeting took place at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, July 30.

KWP alleged that Deddy referred to journalists as “like a circus” or a “circus crowd” while reporters covered the meeting.

The organization demanded a clarification and apology within 24 hours, arguing that the language insulted the journalism profession.

Deddy, a member of House Commission II from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, rejected that interpretation. He stated his position in a statement released on Friday.

“The accusation does not correspond with what I actually said and even tends to be defamatory,” Deddy said.

He said no one from KWP had asked him for confirmation before the organization issued its statement. Deddy maintained that he respects journalists and recognizes their role in Indonesia’s democratic life.

According to Deddy, his full statement during the meeting was:

“Chair, please restore order in the room. Many people are standing here even though there is a balcony upstairs. We already look like a circus here.”

Deddy said the sentence referred to people standing and gathering in the middle of the room while the meeting was in progress. He said he did not direct the remark specifically at journalists.

He argued that video footage and accounts from meeting participants could establish the context. Furthermore, he denied obstructing media coverage. He noted that Commission II conducted the meeting openly and made it accessible to the public.

“I never intended to make any statement that could be interpreted as degrading or insulting the journalism profession,” Deddy said. He added that he was prepared to provide further clarification through the Indonesian Press Council (Dewan Pers).

KWP maintained that lawmakers must respect journalists as part of public oversight of parliament.

“We call on all members of the House of Representatives to consistently respect journalists as strategic partners in maintaining public information transparency,” KWP Deputy Chairman for Administration Erwin Syahputra Siregar said.

KWP said it would bring the matter to the MKD. The MKD is the permanent parliamentary body responsible for investigating and adjudicating alleged violations of the House code of ethics.

The council requires complainants to submit a chronology, supporting evidence and the identity of the lawmaker concerned. This is according to the official MKD complaint guidelines.

The MKD reported in April 2026 that it had received 67 alleged ethics complaints during the 2024–2029 parliamentary term. The council only registers complaints that meet its administrative and evidentiary requirements, as quoted by DPR ethics complaint data.

The competing interpretations of Deddy’s remark remain unresolved. A review of the complete meeting recording—and not only isolated excerpts—would be necessary to determine its context and intended target.