Analyst Says Granting Naming Rights for Bus Stops to Political Parties Could Erase City's Identity
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Public policy expert Trubus Rahadiansah believes that granting naming rights or naming privileges for bus stops to political parties (parpol) could potentially erase the city’s identity.
This is because naming bus stops is not merely a matter of commercialisation, but also relates to the identity and collective memory of residents towards urban spaces.
“If, for example, the Bundaran HI Stop becomes ‘PDI-P Stop’ or ‘Gerindra Stop’, that wouldn’t be right. So, whose is Jakarta?” said Trubus when contacted by Kompas.com via WhatsApp on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
Therefore, such facilities should not be claimed or associated with specific political interests.
“Public facilities are built using people’s taxes, people’s money, the regional budget. Should the results then be claimed by certain political parties?” he said.
Furthermore, according to Trubus, changing the names of bus stops to political party identities could potentially erase the historical meaning and the locational marker function that has long been attached to public spaces in Jakarta.
He explained that bus stop names have so far not only served as location indicators but also as part of the area’s identity and the collective memory of residents.
In addition, the policy is seen as risking social conflicts in society, especially among supporters of certain parties.
Therefore, Trubus urged that public spaces should be kept neutral and free from political interests.
“There must be firm regulations. Political parties and groups that could potentially cause conflict should not be involved. Public spaces must remain neutral,” he said.
Previously reported, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that he would prepare more detailed regulations regarding opportunities for political parties (parpol) to commercial brands to buy naming rights or naming privileges for public transport stops in Jakarta.
“This naming rights will certainly be made with more detailed and specific regulations,” said Pramono when met at the DKI Jakarta Road Infrastructure Office on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
The policy is one of the efforts to make Jakarta a global city that is open to various innovations, including in the commercialisation of public facilities.
“But I do think that Jakarta as a global city, a modern city, must open itself to various things,” he said.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will ensure that bus stop naming does not disrupt the city’s comfort and security.
“Of course, the naming rights given must not also disturb the city’s beauty, and we will regulate that,” said Pramono.