Central Government Warning on Rp 25 Billion Budget for Governor of East Kalimantan's Official Residence and Massage Chair

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The procurement of a staggering Rp 25 billion budget for the renovation of the official residence (rujab) and the provision of facilities such as a massage chair for East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Governor Rudi Ma’sud has become a controversy and drawn sharp criticism from the public.

This controversy over the extravagant budget has also attracted attention from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto stated that his office is providing special guidance.

“So, yes, Kaltim has many notes from us. We will certainly address every development. There is an Inspector General whom we have deployed there, and colleagues from the Regional Autonomy (Otda) directorate who are also communicating and reminding, essentially, the spirit of efficiency must be continuously upheld,” Bima said at the Kemendagri Plaza in Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).

He reminded regional heads to allocate budgets in line with the spirit of efficiency.

“We continue to remind them to be truly careful with the Regional Budget (APBD). To allocate it in accordance with the spirit of efficiency,” Bima stated.

The public’s sharp scrutiny of the East Kalimantan Governor’s official residence renovation project is focused on several facilities deemed non-urgent, such as the massage chair and seawater aquarium.

The inclusion of these items has raised public questions about budgetary sensitivity amid various social and economic issues.

Bima Arya also requested that the budget for procuring the massage chair and seawater aquarium for the official residence of East Kalimantan Governor Rudi Ma’sud be cancelled if not urgent.

“Yes, if it’s not a priority, just cancel it,” Bima said.

“Well, this is something that must be carefully considered by the Governor, and we ask the Governor to really reconsider and review it again. Everything can be adjusted,” Bima added.

He emphasised that the use of the budget related to the renovation of the East Kalimantan Governor’s official residence must adhere to the principle of efficiency.

“Yes, we leave it to the regional government; what we want is for it to be returned to the principle of efficiency,” he said.