Demands of the Crowd Protesting the Governor at the East Kalimantan DPRD

Residents of East Kalimantan demonstrated at the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) building and the East Kalimantan Governor’s office on Tuesday, 21 April 2026. Field Coordinator of the East Kalimantan People’s Struggle Alliance, Erly Sopiansyah, estimated that thousands of people joined the protest against Rudy’s policies.

Erly, representing the general public, said they demonstrated from morning until evening. “From the general public, around 1,500 people, plus more than 1,000 students,” he said via telephone connection.

According to Erly, there were two demonstration locations in the provincial capital, Samarinda. The two locations were the East Kalimantan Governor’s Office on Jalan Gajah Mada, Samarinda, and the East Kalimantan DPRD building on Jalan Teuku Umar.

The public, he said, demanded that the DPRD evaluate all of Governor Rudy’s policies. “They must be evaluated. I shouted earlier too, if possible, the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) should thoroughly investigate all policies issued by the Governor,” he stated.

Erly conveyed that the crowd did not meet Rudy Mas’ud during today’s demonstration. However, they held an audience with East Kalimantan DPRD members who then promised to follow up on the residents’ demands.

Deputy Chairman I of the East Kalimantan DPRD, Ekti Imanuel, met with the demonstrators in front of the office. Ekti agreed to sign an integrity pact from the demonstrators, which contained a commitment to be politically and morally responsible to the public and to carry out all the demands.

Some demands included a total audit of East Kalimantan Provincial Government policies, including budget use deemed not beneficial to the public. In addition, there were demands to stop practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism. The public also demanded that the DPRD carry out its oversight function over the regional government.

Reported by Media Kaltim, the DPRD agreed to discuss the aspirations regarding the use of the right to inquiry against Governor Rudy. “Of course, after this, we will deliberate it in a leadership meeting together with the leadership elements and faction chairmen to address the follow-up,” said Ekti, a Gerindra Party politician, when meeting the demonstrators as quoted by Media Kaltim.

Nevertheless, Ekti emphasised that the DPRD’s mechanism cannot immediately decide on the use of the right to inquiry. There are stages that need to be passed, including leadership meetings up to approval from the factions.

Erly stated that one of Rudy Mas’ud’s actions under scrutiny included the procurement of official vehicles worth Rp 8.5 billion to the renovation of the official residence reaching Rp 25 billion. “At a time when the economy is difficult faced by the people of Kaltim. On the other hand, our Governor is recklessly using regional budget as he pleases,” said Erly on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

In addition, Rudy’s other policies were also questioned by the public, such as the expert team budget of Rp 10.5 billion and plans for official residence renovations. Residents also highlighted the provincial government’s policy of shifting the BPJS Health contribution burden for tens of thousands of underprivileged residents back to the district/city governments.

Antara reported that the background of Rudy Mas’ud’s family lineage also became a catalyst for strengthening the political dynasty narrative in East Kalimantan and driving the mass action. The public spotlighted the strategic positions of his siblings, including Hasanuddin Mas’ud, Rudy’s older brother, who serves as Chairman of the Kaltim DPRD.