Bandung Mayor Criticised for 'Angry Outbursts' Over Unresolved Tree Felling Case

BANDUNG – Andri Gunawan, a member of Commission IV of the Bandung City Council (DPRD), has criticised Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan for merely expressing anger without taking action over the felling of ten trees on Jalan LL.RE Martadinata, or Jalan Riau, some time ago. He judged that Farhan had not acted systematically.

“People may enjoy seeing the Mayor rage, but the response should be carried out systematically,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

He contended that the Mayor’s anger should not remain mere words, but should be proven through firm law enforcement.

He observed that the trees on Jalan Riau were felled because they were blocking the videotron screen installed on the padel court and cafe building. “I have concluded that the trees were cut down to improve the visibility of the videotron,” he said.

He considered there to be a misconception among netizens about the reason the trees were felled. Andri said the real issue that should be questioned is the videotron, not the closure of the padel court.

A similar case, he said, had previously occurred in front of Graha Pos on Jalan Riau. Andri noted that a classic style public street lamp (PJU) had disappeared after a videotron was installed in the area.

“There have been many lapses. Destroying visual obstructions is not the first incident on Jalan Riau; now at the padel venue, trees were sacrificed so the videotron would have good visibility. Previously, at Graha Pos, a classic PJU disappeared because a videotron was installed there,” he said.