Deputy Interior Minister Criticises East Kalimantan Governor over Massage Chair Procurement: If Not a Priority, Just Cancel It!

Jakarta – Deputy Interior Minister Bima Arya has spoken out regarding the controversy surrounding East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud’s procurement of a massage chair worth Rp125 million.

He urged Rudy Mas’ud to be cautious with the regional budget, stating that it must be allocated in line with the spirit of efficiency.

“We continue to remind everyone to be truly careful with the regional budget. It should be allocated in accordance with the spirit of efficiency,” Bima told reporters at the Interior Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Monday, 27 April 2026.

Bima asked East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud to reconsider the Rp125 million massage chair procurement.

“This is something that the Governor must pay close attention to. We ask the Governor to truly reconsider and re-evaluate it. Everything can be adjusted,” he said.

According to Bima, if the massage chair procurement is not a priority, it would be best to cancel it. He reiterated the principle of efficiency in the use of regional funds.

“If it’s not a priority, just cancel it. If it’s not felt by the residents, no need to proceed,” Bima explained.

Previously reported, East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud has once again faced sharp criticism from the public. Previously, he was criticised over a Rp25 billion official residence renovation and a Rp8.5 billion service vehicle procurement.

This time, he is criticised over the Rp125 million massage chair. He explained that while carrying out his duties, he often drives the official vehicle himself over long distances.

Therefore, according to him, the massage chair is indeed needed to support his physical condition when fatigued.

“The massage chair is there; the massage chair is indeed provided in that setting. It’s pitiful for the Governor to drive the car himself with journeys of thousands of kilometres. When we travel, we actually never publicise it; we set off before the sun rises. The sun has already set, and we haven’t arrived yet. And driving the car ourselves,” he said, quoted from a YouTube channel on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

Furthermore, Rudy Mas’ud revealed that due to his condition, his staff felt sorry for him.

“Perhaps the colleagues felt sorry for us. Secondly, sometimes at home, I’m alone with no one to accompany me,” he explained.