Prabowo Criticises Unproductive Use of Regional Budgets, References Rp 8 Billion Governor's Official Vehicle Purchase

President Prabowo Subianto has spotlighted the unproductive use of budgets at the regional level, while alluding to the extravagant purchase of an official vehicle for a regional head valued at Rp 8 billion.

According to Prabowo, many basic needs of the community remain unmet, such as the construction of village bridges, yet regional budgets are allocated to non-priority items.

“Many expenditures that should be handled by districts and provinces are not carried out. For example, the bridge earlier—village bridges—the people have to shout, the president has to intervene. Sorry, there is village funding, where has the money gone? Where is the regent? Where is the governor’s funding? But, alright, I take responsibility. So, we must be open, we must be fair,” said Prabowo during a question-and-answer session with journalists at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, which aired on Thursday.

The President stated that the current pattern of regional spending is still inefficient, including in the allocation of budgets for officials’ facilities.

“Many officials, in my view, this is inefficient. You see it yourselves. Let’s be open. There is a district, eh regional government, they buy a governor’s official vehicle for how much? Rp 8 billion,” said Prabowo.

In comparison, Prabowo emphasised that he uses a domestically produced official vehicle at a much lower price.

“I am the President of Indonesia. I use the Indonesian-made Maung vehicle. Its price is Rp 700 million. Perhaps because it’s for the President, with bulletproofing, it might become Rp 1 billion. But not up to Rp 8 billion. We investigate everything, efficiency,” said the President.

The Head of State also stressed the importance of awareness and responsibility among regional heads in managing public budgets, particularly to ensure they are truly used for the people’s interests.

“After that, working visits—working visits, that’s what we ask for. Awareness, sense of responsibility, right?” said the President.

Prabowo reminded that the primary duty of regional heads is to serve the community, not merely to spend the budget.

“Regents work for your people, governors work for your people, that’s what we ask,” said Prabowo.