More Than Just Comfort: Operational Vehicles for the Governor of East Kalimantan are Said to Support Connectivity
Public attention continues to be focused on the procurement of an operational vehicle for the Governor of East Kalimantan, valued at Rp8.5 billion. In response to the controversy, the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of East Kalimantan, Sri Wahyuni, asserted that the vehicle is needed to support the regional leader’s duties in the field.
According to Sri, the vehicle in question has a high-capacity engine. She stated that this specification was chosen considering the geographical conditions of East Kalimantan, which are not always easily accessible by standard vehicles.
“The geographical conditions of East Kalimantan are not easy. There are still many areas with limited access, dirt roads, and even forest areas that have not been fully opened,” she said.
She mentioned that the Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, is known for frequently visiting locations that are planned to be development sites for infrastructure. In several visits, the terrain traversed was considered quite challenging and risky.
Sri cited a visit to the Kesotek area, Bongan District, as an example. At that time, the group reportedly experienced difficulties because the road access was not yet adequate and had to pass through a forest area.
“They were informed that there was no road, but he wanted to ensure how far the route could be accessed. At that time, they were delayed,” she said.
She also admitted to having participated in a field visit where the group had to change vehicles because the previous vehicle was unable to cross the extreme terrain.
“I once joined and indeed had to change vehicles because the terrain was not feasible. So, the regional leader’s vehicle should be able to adapt to the conditions in East Kalimantan,” she said.
According to Sri, the vehicle’s ability to navigate difficult terrain is closely related to the strategic decision-making process, especially in determining infrastructure development priorities and opening up regional connectivity.
“If you want to decide whether to open or support a road route, of course, you have to know the actual conditions in the field. This concerns economic access and regional connectivity,” she explained.
STRENGTHENING CONNECTIVITY
She added that strengthening connectivity is an important agenda for the provincial government, especially with the presence of the new capital city, Nusantara, in the East Kalimantan region. The opening of new routes is considered to have an impact not only on local communities but also to open access from neighboring provinces, including North Kalimantan.
“This is not just for now, but for the long term. If that route is opened, where can people come from? North Kalimantan is waiting, and Nusantara is also waiting,” she said.
Regarding the status of the vehicle, Sri said that she did not follow in detail whether the unit has been operational or is still in the procurement process. She also could not confirm whether the vehicle has been officially recorded as an asset of the East Kalimantan Provincial Government or is still in the distribution stage.
However, she asserted that from the operational needs side, a high-specification vehicle is considered relevant to the geographical characteristics of East Kalimantan.
“The point is, if the regional leader wants to ensure the field conditions directly before making a policy, the vehicle used must support it,” she concluded.