Senior Figures in East Kalimantan Hope to Meet President Prabowo

Senior figures united under the East Kalimantan Care Community (MPKT) hope to meet with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to convey aspirations and concerns regarding the current socio-political situation and governance in East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim). MPKT initiator Harbiansyah Hanafiah, in Samarinda on Sunday, revealed that an official letter requesting an audience had been submitted through President Prabowo’s nephew, Budi Satrio Djiwandono, during a working visit to Balikpapan. “The letter has been handed to Mr Budi Satrio to forward to the President of the Republic,” stated the former Chairman of the East Kalimantan KONI. Accompanied by several academic figures, businesspeople, former bureaucrats, and local sports leaders, Harbiansyah explained that this step was taken in response to growing public dissatisfaction with the performance and policies of the East Kalimantan Governor. He assessed that several current strategic policies do not reflect public interests but rather lean towards the political and business interests of certain groups. “The public views several policies as draining the regional budget (APBD), which should be prioritised for infrastructure development and public welfare,” he said. There are four main points in MPKT’s aspirations: first, regarding budget transparency, with allocations deemed unaccountable and not in line with priority scales. One emerging point is the alleged use of APBD to host guests at Harum Resort, suspected to be owned by the Governor’s family. Second, concerning dynastic political practices, namely indications of placing the Governor’s close relatives in strategic positions in both government and non-government sectors. “MPKT assesses that this has the potential to violate Law No. 28 of 1999 on the Administration of a State Free from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism. This issue even went viral on social media and became a sharp public focus,” Harbiansyah stated. Third, he said, the lack of public participation in the decision-making process, which should be an integral part of regional development. Additionally, the existence of the Governor’s Expert Team for Accelerating Development (TAGUPP) is seen as causing budget waste, leading to lawsuits from advocate elements regarding the validity of the team’s decree. Fourth, regarding demands for a right of inquiry or interpellation in connection with waves of protest actions in the region. Through this momentum, Harbiansyah emphasised that MPKT urges the East Kalimantan Provincial Government to fully redirect its focus towards development that favours the people. He also called on the East Kalimantan DPRD to immediately activate its supervisory function firmly to uphold the honour of democracy and ensure the welfare of all East Kalimantan residents.