Paradox of East Kalimantan Governor's Rp 8.5 Billion Official Vehicle: Luxury or Necessity?
JAKARTA — The procurement of an official vehicle costing Rp 8.5 billion by East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud has drawn significant public scrutiny.
The purchase has been criticised as excessive, particularly given the current focus on fiscal efficiency. Internet users have questioned why the East Kalimantan Governor does not instead invest in road infrastructure repairs across his province, rather than purchase a luxury vehicle to navigate challenging terrain.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued a reprimand to Rudy Mas’ud.
Governor Rudy Mas’ud has asserted that he has not yet used an official vehicle provided by the East Kalimantan Provincial Government for operational activities in the region. Rudy stated that his activities in East Kalimantan have been supported by his personal vehicle, and that the condition of this vehicle has deteriorated.
“To this day, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government has not provided me with a vehicle for use in East Kalimantan. So there is no vehicle—the vehicle we use today is our personal vehicle,” Rudy said during an interview on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
He responded to the growing controversy in a relaxed tone. “We are currently fasting; please do not gossip too much. The sin will be multiplied,” he added.
Rudy explained that the official vehicle in question does exist, but it is stationed in Jakarta. According to Rudy, East Kalimantan’s position as the location of the New Nusantara Capital (IKN) has increased the frequency of visits by officials, investors, and foreign dignitaries. In this context, he believes that representative facilities are important for maintaining the image of the region.
“East Kalimantan is the New Nusantara Capital, a miniature of Indonesia. Guests to East Kalimantan are not only regional heads from across Indonesia, but also from globally,” he said.
He emphasised that regional leaders should not use “any old vehicle” when carrying out representative duties. “Surely a regional head cannot use an inferior vehicle. Maintain the dignity of East Kalimantan, the dignity of the people of East Kalimantan,” Rudy said.