Thekabanews.com – The public reprimanded Achmad Syahri Assiddiqi, a legislator of the Jember DPRD, after they caught him smoking and playing mobile games. He was caught while attending an official meeting with the Jember Regency Health Office.

The incident soon drew strong reactions from a broad spectrum of groups, including legal experts and student organizations. Members of the public also reacted and questioned the ethics and professionalism of public officials in formal government forums.

Previously, people knew Syahri as the son of a highly respected religious figure, and he was born and raised in a pesantren environment. He admitted that the communities of the Islamic boarding school (santri) strongly supported his election to the DPRD. Additionally, he received support from the influence of family.

Given this background, the controversy was all the more delicate. This was because many expected him to demonstrate a greater sense of moral discipline and public responsibility.

Aries Harianto, a constitutional law expert from the Faculty of Law at the University of Jember, said the behavior was not justifiable. This was true from the ethical and institutional point of view.

“The DPRD meeting serves as an official state forum that directly relates to public services and government oversight,” Aries said.

So legislators must stay focused, disciplined, and respectful of the meeting process.

“Playing games and smoking in an official meeting is not justifiable, either in terms of the ethics of public office or institutional norms,” Aries said.

He said such actions impact the credibility of the institution and create a negative public perception of legislative performance. The Indonesian Student National Movement (GMNI) also heavily criticized Syahri’s attitude.

Mochammad Faizin, Deputy Chair of GMNI Jember for Political Affairs, emphasized that the issue extends beyond a mere individual error. It’s a symptom of a more profound problem about political ethics and institutional accountability,” he said.

“This kind of behavior not only tarnishes the honor of the DPRD institution but also hurts public trust in political institutions,” Faizin said.

“Elected officials have moral responsibility because they are the people’s representatives and they are given public trust through democratic processes,” he said.

The public anger is not just about smoking or gaming per se but the symbolic meaning of disrespect at an official meeting. This action touches on public health issues.

The local health office was also present at the meeting, making the situation even more controversial. This happened given the heightened public sensitivity to health policy and government accountability.

The incident has triggered a wider discussion about the discipline, ethics, and performance standards of local lawmakers across Indonesia.

Netizens urged for stricter internal discipline and clearer punishment for public officials. This call applies to officials who fail to act in a professional manner in formal sessions.

But the criticism is mounting, and the case is now more than a viral moment. Importantly, the episode is a reminder that public office is the exercise of power. It is also a palpable sense of responsibility and respect for the institutions it embodies.

Stay connected via Google News