Lumajang Regent Temporarily Halts Official Vehicles Amid Efficiency Drive

Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati has temporarily halted the operation of all four-wheeled official vehicles as part of a budget efficiency measure amid rising non-subsidised fuel prices. “So firstly, all four-wheeled official vehicles are not allowed to operate,” Indah said on Monday (15/6). Indah stressed that this policy also applies to herself. She has asked all heads of regional apparatus organisations (OPD) to switch to using motorcycles for mobility to locations still reachable by two-wheeled vehicles. “But for official cars usually used by OPD heads and the regent, if the field distance is still reachable by motorcycle, use two-wheeled vehicles entirely, including me,” she said. Furthermore, for journeys to the office where the distance is still manageable, Indah has even asked her staff to switch to using bicycles. “Then, if going to the office is still reachable by pushbike, then use a pushbike,” she stated. Meanwhile, for the four-wheeled official vehicles now out of operation, Indah has arranged for all of them to be stored at their respective offices and not taken to the private homes of civil servants or officials. “Because we do not have representative storage facilities and they need to be maintained, for example warmed up, the vehicles are stored at their respective offices, they must not be taken to private homes. So the policy is clear,” Indah explained. Indah said the main consideration behind the policy is regional budget efficiency. She revealed that the rise in non-subsidised fuel prices has also had a significant impact on the operation of the red-plated official vehicles belonging to the Lumajang Regency Government, as these vehicles are required by prevailing regulations to use non-subsidised fuel. “It is precisely the regional apparatus organisations that are affected, because their cars have red plates. If they use diesel, it means Solar Dex or Pertamina Dex. If they use petrol, it must be at least Pertamax 92,” she explained. However, the ban does not apply to all types of official vehicles. Indah explained that operational cars whose functions are directly related to public services remain exempt from this policy. “Except for four-wheeled vehicles used for public services, such as ambulances, fire engines, water tankers, sky lifts, for river channels, street lighting replacement, heavy equipment, and civil administration vehicles. Essentially, those intended for public service are allowed,” she said.