Jakarta Bus Stops Can Use Political Party Names: Opportunity to Boost Local Revenue or Disguised Campaign?

The proposal to use political party names for bus stops and public transport stations in Jakarta has sparked debate. This policy is seen as a potential new source of regional own-source revenue (PAD), but it also risks opening the door to covert campaigning. DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has opened opportunities for various parties, including political parties, to participate in the naming rights scheme for public facilities. He conveyed this in his speech at the Easter celebration with parishioners in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Friday (10/4/2026). He stressed that commercialising stop names is one way to increase regional revenue. In the presence of House of Representatives Commission VIII member from the Golkar faction Erwin Aksa and DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD Commission A Chairman Inggard Joshua, Pramono touched on the transparency of adding PAD through the commercialisation of public facility naming. He even jokingly suggested to Erwin Aksa that political parties are welcome to “feature” on public facilities owned by the DKI Provincial Government. “There are stops named Nescafe, Teh Sosro, all sorts—whoever, as long as they pay. Even if Golkar wants to make a stop, it’s fine, Mr Erwin, the important thing is to pay,” said Pramono, met with laughter from the congregation. Pramono stated that he will prepare more detailed regulations regarding opportunities for political parties to buy naming rights at existing stops in Jakarta. “This naming rights will certainly have more detailed and specific regulations,” said Pramono when met at the DKI Jakarta Public Works Office, on Tuesday (14/4/2026). He emphasised that the policy is one effort to make Jakarta a global city open to various innovations, including in the commercialisation of public facilities. “But I do think that Jakarta as a global city, a modern city, must open itself to various things,” he said. Nevertheless, he stressed that there are boundaries that must be maintained. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will ensure that stop naming does not disrupt the city’s comfort, security, and beauty. “The most important thing is to maintain comfort, security, and beauty. Of course, the naming rights given must not disrupt the city’s beauty, and we will regulate that,” Pramono revealed.