Pramono Allows Political Parties to Buy Naming Rights for Bus Stops, Analyst: Could Become Disguised Political Campaign

Jakarta public policy expert from Trisakti University, Trubus Rahadiansah, views Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung’s plan to open opportunities for political parties to buy naming rights or naming rights for bus stops as potentially becoming a disguised political campaign in public spaces.

“If in the long term, this could become a major problem. Because bus stops are built from public funds, so they are public goods. So they cannot then seem to belong to a party,” said Trubus when contacted by Kompas.com on Tuesday (14/4/2026).

According to him, public facilities like bus stops should be neutral and not used for specific political interests.

“If later, for example, the Bundaran HI Bus Stop is named ‘PDIP Bus Stop’ or ‘Gerindra Bus Stop’, that would be wrong. It means our public space becomes non-neutral,” he said.

According to Trubus, if such a condition occurs, there will be potential for social conflict due to the policy, such as social jealousy to friction between supporters.

“Imagine if supporters of party A pass a bus stop named after party B, it could trigger vandalism or even clashes. This must be anticipated,” he said.

Therefore, Trubus suggests that the regional government should still open opportunities for naming rights, but only for neutral commercial sectors such as private companies or trademarks.

“If you want to seek regional revenue, seek it from pure commercial sectors. Companies or brands that have no political interests. So the economic value is clear and does not cause conflict,” he said.

“There must be clear rules. Political parties or groups that have potential for conflict should be prohibited. Public space must remain neutral,” he said.

Previously, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that he would prepare more detailed regulations regarding opportunities for political parties to brands buying naming rights or naming rights for public transport bus stops in Jakarta.

“Naming rights will of course be made with more detailed and specific rules,” said Pramono when met at the DKI Jakarta Road Infrastructure Office, Tuesday (14/4/2026).

The policy is one of the efforts to make Jakarta a global city that is open to various innovations, including in the commercialisation of public facilities.

“But I do think that Jakarta as a global city, a modern city, must open itself to various things,” he said.

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will ensure that the naming of bus stops does not disrupt the comfort and security of the city.

“Of course, the naming rights given must not also disrupt the beauty of the city, and we will regulate that,” said Pramono.