Indonesian quiz judges suspended after identical student answers receive conflicting scores
Indonesia’s MPR RI apologised after a viral controversy erupted over inconsistent judging decisions during a televised civic education quiz competition in West Kalimantan.
- The MPR RI apologised after conflicting judging decisions sparked controversy during a quiz competition final.
- Social media users criticised judges and organisers for inconsistency and dismissive treatment of students.
- Authorities suspended the judges and MC while launching an internal evaluation and repeat final.
A controversy surrounding the final round of Indonesia’s 2026 Four Pillars Quiz Competition in West Kalimantan has triggered widespread public criticism after judges gave conflicting assessments to two student teams that delivered nearly identical answers during the televised event.
The incident occurred during the provincial final of the competition organised by the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, commonly known as the MPR RI, on Saturday, 9 May 2026, in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.
A video clip from the event later circulated widely on Indonesian social media platforms, prompting debate over fairness, judging standards and the treatment of student participants.
The competition involved nine senior high schools from across West Kalimantan. The three finalist schools were SMAN 1 Sanggau, SMAN 1 Sambas and SMAN 1 Pontianak.
The judging panel consisted of Indri Wahyuni, Head of the Secretariat Division of the MPR Socialisation Agency; Triyatni, Head of the Bureau of Planning and Finance; and Dyastasita WB.
Disputed answer during quick-response round
The controversy emerged during a quick-response segment when participants were asked a constitutional question concerning the appointment of members of Indonesia’s Audit Board, known as the BPK.
The host asked: “When selecting members of the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK), the DPR must take into consideration recommendations from which institution?”
Group C from SMAN 1 Pontianak answered first.
“Members of the Audit Board are selected by the House of Representatives while taking into consideration the Regional Representative Council and are formally appointed by the President,” a female participant replied.
One of the judges, Dyastasita WB, then imposed a five-point deduction on the answer.
Shortly afterwards, the same question was passed to another team. Group B from SMAN 1 Sambas gave what viewers later described as the same answer.
“Members of the Audit Board are selected by the House of Representatives while taking into consideration the Regional Representative Council and are formally appointed by the President,” the participant answered.
Dyastasita then ruled the answer correct.
“The essence of the answer is correct. Ten points,” she said.
The differing decisions immediately prompted protests from Group C, whose members argued that both teams had delivered identical responses.
“Excuse us, but we gave the same answer as Group B earlier,” one participant said during the event.
In response, Dyastasita stated that she had not heard Group C clearly mention the role of the Regional Representative Council, known in Indonesia as the DPD.
The participant from Group C rejected the explanation and asked members of the audience to confirm what had been said.
Despite repeated objections from the students, the judges maintained their ruling.
Another judge, Indri Wahyuni, defended the decision by emphasising the importance of pronunciation and articulation during the competition.
“So once again we remind you, articulation must be considered,” Indri said.
According to the judging panel, unclear articulation gave judges authority to impose score deductions if answers could not be properly heard.
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MC remarks attract criticism
Public attention intensified after social media users highlighted remarks made by the event’s master of ceremonies, Shindy Lutfiana, during the dispute.
When the penalised students continued protesting the ruling, the MC reportedly said: “Perhaps that is only how you feel.”
The remark later became one of the most widely discussed aspects of the controversy. Social media users criticised the statement as dismissive towards the student participants.
Online criticism subsequently targeted Shindy’s Instagram account, which was later locked from public access.
Viral reaction on social media
The incident quickly spread across Indonesian social media platforms, where many users accused the judging panel of inconsistency and double standards.
Public criticism focused particularly on the apparent contradiction between the treatment of Group C and Group B despite similarities in their answers.
The controversy also drew attention because the Four Pillars Quiz Competition is intended as a civic education programme promoting understanding of Indonesia’s state ideology and constitutional principles.
The competition is organised to strengthen awareness of the MPR’s “Four Pillars”: Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the national motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (“Unity in Diversity”).
MPR issues apology
Following mounting criticism, the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia issued a public apology.
Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman acknowledged shortcomings in both the judging process and event organisation.
“We apologise for the negligence of the judging panel. We will follow up on this incident,” Akbar said in a statement issued on Monday, 11 May 2026.
He said the institution would conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the competition system, including technical and procedural aspects.
“I believe this quiz competition needs to be evaluated so it can improve. There should not be another incident like this,” he said.
Akbar also referred to technical problems involving the sound system and the absence of an appeals mechanism capable of resolving disputes during the event.
The MPR Secretariat General later confirmed that an internal investigation had been launched into the controversy.
In an official statement, the institution said educational activities aimed at young people should uphold principles of sportsmanship, objectivity, fairness and constructive learning.
The MPR stated that it would review judging mechanisms, answer verification systems, objection procedures and technical matters including articulation standards.
The institution also announced that the judges and MC involved in the controversy had been suspended pending further evaluation.
“The MPR RI will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the technical aspects of the competition, including judging mechanisms, participant answer verification systems and objection procedures, so that future implementation can be carried out in a better, more transparent and accountable manner,” the institution stated.
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The MPR also reportedly decided to repeat the provincial final with a new panel of independent judges.
MC apologises publicly
Following the backlash, Shindy Lutfiana issued a public apology through Instagram.
“With all humility, I would like to express my deepest apologies for all my remarks, especially the statement ‘perhaps that is only how you feel’, which I should never have made in my capacity as MC at the event,” she wrote in a post viewed on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
She acknowledged that the statement had caused disappointment and hurt feelings among participants, teachers and members of the public.
“I fully realise that the statement caused disappointment, discomfort and even hurt feelings among many parties, especially the student participants, the accompanying teachers from SMAN 1 Pontianak, and the wider public, particularly the people of West Kalimantan who followed and paid attention to this event,” she said.
Shindy said the controversy had become an important lesson for her in exercising greater care while speaking in public settings.
Alleged social media posts by judge circulate online
Public discussion expanded further after screenshots circulated online purporting to show WhatsApp status updates allegedly posted by judge Indri Wahyuni.
The posts, which could not be independently verified, appeared to defend the winning school and criticise public reactions to the controversy.
One message stated that the winning school deserved recognition despite criticism online.
“They deserve the win and the explanation why they are still the winner of the game. Focusing on one school and neglecting justice for others is part of the greatest ignorance one could commit,” the post read.
Another message referred to the school’s location and background.
“Just because the school is not well known does not mean it should not be celebrated. The school is remote, isolated and from a former conflict area from 1999,” the post stated.
Additional posts referred to endorsement deals and public discussion regarding wealth disclosures, known in Indonesia as LHKPN reports.
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At the time the reports circulated, there had been no official confirmation from Indri Wahyuni regarding the authenticity of the alleged WhatsApp posts.
Internal evaluation underway
The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia stated that public feedback would be used as part of a broader institutional evaluation process aimed at improving transparency and maintaining public trust in civic education programmes.
The institution also expressed appreciation to participants, teachers, judges, regional organisers and members of the public for continuing to support civic education initiatives.
“Public feedback will serve as an important evaluation tool to maintain the quality of the event and public trust in an inclusive, educational and integrity-based civic learning process,” the MPR Secretariat General stated.
