Golkar Warns East Kalimantan Governor Amid Public Scrutiny

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Muhammad Sarmuji, the General Secretary of the Golkar Party, has stated that his party has already cautioned East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud following his controversial remarks regarding a state vehicle purchase worth Rp8.5 billion that has drawn public attention.

According to Sarmuji, the Golkar party cadre has been asked to better listen to public sentiment. He emphasised that despite various justifications, a governor must measure spending decisions against the conditions of the people, not by personal standards.

“We have already communicated with the East Kalimantan Governor. We have asked him to be more attentive to public sentiment amid efficiency considerations,” Sarmuji said in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Sarmuji’s explanation, the budget for the state vehicle was approved in 2024. The vehicle, he noted, was procured through an order system.

“East Kalimantan has challenging terrain, with an area equivalent to the size of Java island. However, regardless, we must measure such decisions against the conditions of our people,” he said.

Furthermore, he stated that Rudy Mas’ud has explained that he currently uses his personal vehicle as a state vehicle. He has also conveyed that this arrangement is preferable.

“That is better, although fundamentally a Governor has the right to be provided with a state vehicle,” he said.

Previously, Rudy Mas’ud faced public criticism over his statement that the acquisition of a state vehicle worth Rp8.5 billion was undertaken to uphold the dignity of East Kalimantan.

Additionally, he stated that the purchase of the vehicle with those specifications was in accordance with Interior Ministry Regulation (Permendagri).