Medan Mayor Admits to Seeking Treatment Abroad, Claims He Informed Home Minister
The Mayor of Medan, Rico Waas, has admitted to being abroad for medical treatment. According to him, the agenda had been planned long ago and carried out during the holiday period.
“It is true that I am currently abroad for medical treatment. I had planned this a long time ago, but the timing didn’t work out,” said Rico Waas in a written statement on Sunday (17/5).
Rico emphasized that his departure had been reported to the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri). According to him, communication with the North Sumatra Provincial Government has not been optimal, so the travel report was submitted directly to the Central Government.
“Coincidentally, this is during a holiday period, so I left and have informed the Mendagri about the agenda,” he said.
Rico also denied that government funds were used for the trip. He ensured that all medical and travel costs were borne personally.
“Yes, I did not use the APBD (Regional Budget) in this trip, and it is purely using personal funds,” Rico Waas affirmed.
Furthermore, Rico explained that his departure abroad was not only to undergo health checks but also to obtain medicines that he had been regularly taking and are now depleted.
“So, I went abroad specifically for treatment and to get the medicine that I have run out of. I apologize for this,” he said.
Even though he is undergoing treatment, Rico emphasized that the administration in Medan continues to run normally. He said he continues to monitor the city’s developments and coordinate with the heads of regional government organizations (OPDs).
“While undergoing treatment, I also monitor the City of Medan at all times, and ask the heads of OPDs to continue communicating and coordinating regarding the development of our beloved City,” he said.
Rico emphasized that the Medan City Government remains committed to supporting all national strategic programs and maintaining synergy with the central government and provincial government.
“We realize that strong synergy and coordination are needed between regional governments and the central government, to improve the welfare of our people,” he said.
Previously, Rico Waas was not present at the national inauguration of the operationalization of 1,061 Merah Putih Cooperatives virtually led by President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday (16/5). Rico’s absence also drew criticism.
The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, said that initially, Rico Waas stated that he was only traveling out of town. However, after checking, it turned out that the trip was actually abroad.
“He said he was going out of town, but it turned out he went abroad,” said Bobby Nasution after attending the national inauguration of the operationalization of 1,061 Merah Putih Cooperatives virtually led by President Prabowo Subianto, Saturday (16/5).
Bobby emphasized that President Prabowo had previously reminded all regional heads not to travel abroad without permission, including for personal or vacation purposes.
“Mr. President has said, it is not allowed. Traveling abroad without permission, even if it’s a vacation, is not allowed,” Bobby affirmed.
He considered that this rule must be obeyed by all regional heads as part of government discipline and a form of responsibility for the positions they hold. Therefore, Bobby said he would coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to follow up on the matter.
“We will coordinate with the Kemendagri (Ministry of Home Affairs),” he said.