Wednesday, 16 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Commission A of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives (DPRD Sumatera Utara) has selected seven individuals to serve as commissioners of the North Sumatra Regional Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPID Sumatera Utara) for the 2026–2029 term. The decision was made on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during a contentious plenary meeting that did not conclude until around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The selection of the seven commissioners marks the final stage of the selection process for the prospective members of KPID North Sumatra. Previously, a total of 21 candidates had gone through the selection process, including a fit and proper test before Commission A of the North Sumatra DPRD.
The results of the plenary meeting began circulating among journalists and broadcasting industry stakeholders shortly after the session ended. However, as of Tuesday evening, Commission A of the North Sumatra DPRD had yet to issue an official announcement regarding the decision.
Only 17 of the 21 chairpersons and members of Commission A of the North Sumatra DPRD attended the plenary meeting to determine the new composition of KPID North Sumatra. The selection was relatively contentious, as lawmakers determined the seven candidates with the highest vote totals through a voting process.
According to the results circulating among stakeholders, three candidates received the full support of all 17 Commission A members who were present. They were Ahmad Arfah, Mulyadi and Mutiah Ulfa, each receiving 17 votes.
They were followed by Iswanda Situmorang and Muhammad Ridwan, who each secured 16 votes in the ballot.
Hendrik Fernandes Naipospos and Muhammad Yusron completed the list of seven selected candidates. Both received 15 votes each.
Accordingly, Ahmad Arfah with 17 votes, Mulyadi with 17 votes, Mutiah Ulfa with 17 votes, Iswanda Situmorang with 16 votes, Muhammad Ridwan with 16 votes, Hendrik Fernandes Naipospos with 15 votes and Muhammad Yusron with 15 votes were the seven individuals selected as KPID North Sumatra commissioners for the 2026–2029 term based on the voting results.
The relatively close vote totals highlight the intense competition for the commissioner positions. The difference in votes between the candidates finishing in the top seven was only one or two votes. The outcome of the plenary meeting therefore attracted particular attention from broadcasting industry observers in North Sumatra.
The remaining 14 candidates failed to finish among the top seven. They were Agus Supratman, David Simbolon, Dearlina Sinaga, Nurleli, Repa Duha, Zulfahmi Hasibuan, Edwar, Ayu Kesuma Ningtyas, Muhammad Ari Agung Baskoro, Muhammad Hidayat, Rustam Ependi, Mustarom, Ibnuraash Aleslami and Rifian Arif.
The composition of the seven selected commissioners also brings significant changes to KPID North Sumatra. Based on the plenary meeting results, four incumbent commissioners failed to secure positions for a second term.
The replacement of several incumbent commissioners is now drawing particular attention from broadcasting industry observers. They are waiting to see what policy priorities and organizational direction KPID North Sumatra will pursue once the seven new commissioners begin their duties for the 2026–2029 term.
The changes are also linked to the close voting results. The difference between the vote totals of the individual candidates was only one or two votes. This indicates that Commission A's decision resulted in a relatively competitive composition.
Although the names of the selected candidates have already circulated widely, the North Sumatra DPRD has yet to officially announce the results of the plenary meeting. The situation has raised questions among the public, as the names of the seven commissioners are already known to journalists and several broadcasting industry stakeholders.
The chairman of Commission A of the North Sumatra DPRD from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, Usman Jafar, also declined to provide a detailed statement on the plenary meeting results when approached by journalists on Tuesday evening.
"Please wait for the official announcement," Usman said briefly in a WhatsApp message on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The statement indicates that Commission A is waiting for the official announcement before providing further details regarding the process and outcome of the selection of the seven KPID North Sumatra commissioners.
Following the conclusion of the plenary meeting by Commission A, the North Sumatra DPRD will forward the minutes of the meeting to the North Sumatra provincial government. The document will serve as the basis for the next steps, including the process of appointing the seven KPID North Sumatra commissioners for the 2026–2029 term.
The submission of the meeting minutes is an important part of the process to ensure that the results of the selection and voting conducted by Commission A have an administrative basis for the subsequent appointment process. Once all administrative procedures have been completed, the seven selected individuals will assume their mandates as members of KPID North Sumatra for the new term.
KPID plays an important role in overseeing broadcasting institutions in the regions. Therefore, the replacement of a large portion of its commissioners in the upcoming term is being closely watched by various parties, particularly stakeholders involved in the development of the broadcasting industry in North Sumatra.
The public is now awaiting an official statement from the North Sumatra DPRD regarding the plenary meeting results, including explanations of the voting mechanism and the next steps following the selection of the seven names.
With the conclusion of Commission A's plenary meeting, the selection process for candidates for the KPID North Sumatra commissioner positions for the 2026–2029 term has entered its final stage at the DPRD North Sumatra level. The administrative process and formal appointment will subsequently determine the official commencement of the terms of the seven selected commissioners. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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