Bali. Former Senator Arya Wedakarna, recently removed from the Regional Representative Council (DPD) due to statements containing Islamophobic remarks, is now poised for a potential return to the DPD.

Arya is currently in the third position in the vote count for the prospective members of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Bali, according to the real count from the General Election Commission (KPU). Arya secured 96,000 votes, accounting for 12.6 percent. The DPD votes counted by the KPU have only reached 36.94 percent of all polling stations in Bali.

Meanwhile, in the first position for the vote count for DPD from Bali is Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, with 112,651 votes or 16.66 percent. Following in the second position is I Komang Merta Jiwa with 104,115 votes or 14.14 percent.

Even though Arya Wedakarna is currently in the third position, he has a chance to be re-elected as a member of the DPD. This is because the Election Law specifies that the number of DPD members from each province is set at 4 (four) individuals.

Arya Wedakarna was officially dismissed from his membership in the DPD following statements deemed to contain elements of hate speech. 

"The DPD Honorary Board has decided and determined that the accused, Arya Wedakarna, has been proven to violate the oath/promise of office and the code of ethics and/or the rules of the DPD, with the severe sanction of permanent dismissal," said Bali Senator Mangku Pastika on Feb. 2.

Arya Wedakarna became viral after a video of his angry outburst circulated on social media. In the video, Arya scolded the Head of the Bali Nusa Tenggara Customs and Excise Regional Office, the Head of Customs and Excise at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, and airport management. 

In the video, Arya expresses dissatisfaction with the attire of certain staff members of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, particularly those wearing hijabs, leading to accusations of discrimination and sparking public outcry.

He suggested that native Balinese employees who do not wear head coverings should be placed in front-line positions at the airport to handle tourists, rather than employees who wear head coverings.

Bali Senator Sparks Islamophobic Controversy Over Comments on Airport Staff Attire