{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1702708,
        "msgid": "deputy-interior-minister-criticises-east-kalimantan-governor-over-massage-chair-procurement-if-not-a-priority-1777269100",
        "date": "2026-04-27 12:13:32",
        "title": "Deputy Interior Minister Criticises East Kalimantan Governor over Massage Chair Procurement: If Not a Priority, Just Cancel It!",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "Deputy Interior Minister Bima Arya has urged East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas'ud to reconsider the procurement of a Rp125 million massage chair, emphasising the need for efficiency in the use of regional budgets. Bima suggested that if the purchase is not deemed a priority and does not benefit the public, it should simply be cancelled. This criticism adds to ongoing public scrutiny of the governor's spending decisions, including previous controversies over a Rp25 billion official residence renovation and a Rp8.5 billion service vehicle.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta \u2013 Deputy Interior Minister Bima Arya has spoken out regarding\nthe controversy surrounding East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas\u2019ud\u2019s\nprocurement of a massage chair worth Rp125 million.<\/p>\n<p>He urged Rudy Mas\u2019ud to be cautious with the regional budget, stating\nthat it must be allocated in line with the spirit of efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe continue to remind everyone to be truly careful with the regional\nbudget. It should be allocated in accordance with the spirit of\nefficiency,\u201d Bima told reporters at the Interior Ministry office in\nCentral Jakarta on Monday, 27 April 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Bima asked East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas\u2019ud to reconsider the\nRp125 million massage chair procurement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is something that the Governor must pay close attention to. We\nask the Governor to truly reconsider and re-evaluate it. Everything can\nbe adjusted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Bima, if the massage chair procurement is not a\npriority, it would be best to cancel it. He reiterated the principle of\nefficiency in the use of regional funds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf it\u2019s not a priority, just cancel it. If it\u2019s not felt by the\nresidents, no need to proceed,\u201d Bima explained.<\/p>\n<p>Previously reported, East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas\u2019ud has once\nagain faced sharp criticism from the public. Previously, he was\ncriticised over a Rp25 billion official residence renovation and a Rp8.5\nbillion service vehicle procurement.<\/p>\n<p>This time, he is criticised over the Rp125 million massage chair. He\nexplained that while carrying out his duties, he often drives the\nofficial vehicle himself over long distances.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, according to him, the massage chair is indeed needed to\nsupport his physical condition when fatigued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe massage chair is there; the massage chair is indeed provided in\nthat setting. It\u2019s pitiful for the Governor to drive the car himself\nwith journeys of thousands of kilometres. When we travel, we actually\nnever publicise it; we set off before the sun rises. The sun has already\nset, and we haven\u2019t arrived yet. And driving the car ourselves,\u201d he\nsaid, quoted from a YouTube channel on Sunday, 26 April 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, Rudy Mas\u2019ud revealed that due to his condition, his\nstaff felt sorry for him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPerhaps the colleagues felt sorry for us. Secondly, sometimes at\nhome, I\u2019m alone with no one to accompany me,\u201d he explained.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/deputy-interior-minister-criticises-east-kalimantan-governor-over-massage-chair-procurement-if-not-a-priority-1777269100",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}