East Kalimantan Governor's Rp8.5 Billion Hybrid SUV Official Vehicle Sparks Controversy
The procurement of a new official vehicle for the Governor of East Kalimantan valued at Rp8.5 billion has sparked controversy amid the regional government’s ongoing budget efficiency policy.
The extravagant vehicle purchase has drawn sharp scrutiny from various parties, including legislators and political observers.
In response, East Kalimantan Provincial Secretary Sri Wahyuni assured that the procurement had undergone careful deliberation based on official needs and the effectiveness of the regional leader’s work in serving the public.
She stressed that the operational vehicle was not merely a luxury facility but a vital means of reaching areas with extreme geographical characteristics across East Kalimantan.
“The Governor is committed to directly monitoring every issue in remote areas. For example, during a visit to Bongan, he wanted to see for himself the road conditions that residents had complained about. To reach such critical points across such challenging terrain, a reliable and representative vehicle is needed,” said Sri Wahyuni in Samarinda on Friday (20/2).
Regarding the Rp8.5 billion budget for the 3,000cc hybrid SUV, the East Kalimantan provincial government through its Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) had previously clarified that the procurement adhered to the principles of value for money and long-term efficiency.
Although the provincial government had previously announced a halt to official vehicle procurement for the 2025 fiscal year, this purchase for the regional leader was described as a proportional exception to support VVIP functions and the reception of state guests.
“Road conditions in East Kalimantan are often muddy and rocky. A multifunctional vehicle with capable off-road performance is essential to ensure the leader’s work agenda is not hindered by technical obstacles in the field,” she continued.
On the other hand, the procurement continues to draw criticism, including from Working Group 30 and members of the East Kalimantan Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), who have questioned its benefit for the province’s 3.7 million residents amid promises of regional spending cuts.
However, Sri Wahyuni added that accelerating inter-regional connectivity development demands strong transportation support so that the regional leader can carry out maximum infrastructure oversight without significant obstacles.
“Field operations indeed require robust vehicle specifications. This is done to ensure that reviews of the government’s strategic programmes remain efficient, even when navigating difficult terrain,” Sri Wahyuni explained.