East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Governor Rudy Mas’ud has publicly addressed the controversial procurement budget allocated for the renovation of his official residence, sparking a significant public debate. A particular point of contention was the acquisition of a massage chair, reportedly valued at a substantial Rp 125 million, which quickly drew widespread criticism and highlighted questions regarding the prudent use of public funds.
The lavish spending did not go unnoticed by central government officials, with Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri), Bima Arya, issuing a stern warning. He urged the Kaltim Governor to immediately reconsider and re-evaluate the “fantastic” budget. Bima Arya emphatically stated that if the facility did not align with priority scales and offered no direct benefit to the citizens, its procurement should be canceled without hesitation. “We ask Mr. Governor to seriously reconsider, to re-evaluate this. Everything can be adjusted. If it’s not a priority, then cancel it. If the citizens don’t feel the benefit, then it shouldn’t be continued,” Bima asserted on Monday, April 27th, following his leadership of the 30th Regional Autonomy Day (Otda) summit ceremony at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Central Jakarta.
Responding to the swift and intense public backlash, Governor Rudy Mas’ud promptly extended a sincere apology for any uproar and discomfort caused to the community. In a decisive move to restore public trust and address the specific criticisms, he announced his personal commitment to cover the costs for items within the official residence’s renovation that are deemed outside the scope of official duty. This includes the contentious Rp 125 million massage chair and a saltwater aquarium, both of which had become symbols of perceived extravagance.
“I will personally cover the renovation items in the official residence that are outside official functions, including the massage chair and the saltwater aquarium,” Rudy affirmed. Furthermore, the Governor pledged to proactively enhance transparency and mitigate potential conflicts of interest within his administration. He explicitly stated that he would eliminate any involvement of family members in structural roles directly connected to the Kaltim Provincial Government, specifically mentioning the deputy head of the governor’s expert team for accelerated development. “We will also open up broader avenues for transparency, so that every policy can be understood and jointly overseen,” he added, signaling a clearer commitment to open governance and public accountability.
Following these initial reports, Governor Rudy Mas’ud released a comprehensive statement on his personal social media account on Monday, April 27th, providing a detailed explanation of his actions and directly addressing the East Kalimantan community. In his heartfelt message, he acknowledged the widespread attention, valuable input, and anxieties expressed by the public concerning government policies and the utilization of public facilities. He recognized that robust criticism is a legitimate and crucial expression of the community’s profound care for their beloved region. He admitted to significant self-reflection on the matter, conceding the need for personal improvement in both his conduct and communication as a public servant.
From the depths of his heart, Governor Rudy reiterated his profound apologies for the disturbance and unease that had permeated the community. He empathized deeply with the public, recognizing that numerous basic needs still urgently require the government’s attention and resources. He then clarified a key point: the Rp 25 billion renovation package, which encompassed the scrutinized items like the massage chair and saltwater aquarium, had actually been planned before his tenure began. Nevertheless, he unequivocally accepted full responsibility as the incumbent governor, acknowledging his duty to meticulously review, prioritize, and ensure that all expenditures align with the community’s sense of fairness and justice. “I am not making excuses; this is my responsibility,” he declared, firmly underscoring his unwavering commitment to accountability.
As a tangible demonstration of his commitment to the people of East Kalimantan, Governor Rudy Mas’ud outlined two key actions. Firstly, he reaffirmed his pledge to personally fund the renovation items not essential for official duties, specifically highlighting the massage chair and the saltwater aquarium. He also promised an open evaluation and audit of all items within the entire renovation package, ensuring complete public visibility and oversight. Moving forward, he stated that the budget allocated for leaders’ facilities would be adjusted to be simpler and more genuinely aligned with the pressing needs of the community, fostering a more citizen-centric approach to public spending.
Secondly, to fortify public trust and prevent any perception of impropriety, Governor Rudy announced that, effective the following day, he would discontinue any family involvement in structural roles directly associated with the East Kalimantan Provincial Government. This includes, but is not limited to, the significant position of deputy head of the governor’s expert team for accelerated development. He stressed that this measure is an integral part of a broader initiative to foster greater transparency, allowing the public to fully comprehend and scrutinize every policy decision made. He concluded this section by expressing sincere gratitude for all the input and criticism received, interpreting them as a testament to the community’s care and love for East Kalimantan.
Addressing a previous statement he had made, which had unfortunately been misconstrued as drawing inappropriate comparisons with national leaders, Governor Rudy Mas’ud offered another profound and heartfelt apology. He clarified that there was absolutely no intention to involve or liken any party in an unsuitable context and vowed to exercise even greater caution in his future remarks to prevent any misinterpretations or unintended perceptions. Concluding his comprehensive statement, he affirmed his unwavering dedication to working with enhanced diligence and sensitivity, always prioritizing the welfare and core needs of the East Kalimantan community. He humbly requested their continued prayers and support to successfully continue ongoing programs, ensuring their direct benefits reach all citizens of East Kalimantan.
Summary
East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Governor Rudy Mas’ud faced significant public criticism regarding the controversial procurement of a Rp 125 million massage chair and other renovation costs for his official residence, drawing a stern warning from Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya to reconsider such “fantastic” spending if it wasn’t a priority or beneficial to citizens. Responding to the backlash, Governor Mas’ud promptly apologized for the uproar and committed to personally covering the costs for items deemed outside official duty, specifically naming the massage chair and a saltwater aquarium. He further pledged to enhance transparency and eliminate the involvement of family members in structural roles within the Kaltim Provincial Government.
In a subsequent comprehensive statement, Governor Mas’ud acknowledged the public’s concerns and clarified that while the Rp 25 billion renovation package had been planned before his tenure, he accepted full responsibility as the incumbent governor. He reiterated his promise to personally fund non-essential renovation items and committed to an open evaluation and audit of the entire renovation package, aiming for simpler, more community-aligned budgets for leaders’ facilities moving forward. Governor Mas’ud also reaffirmed his decision to discontinue any family involvement in government roles to foster greater public trust and accountability, and issued an apology for a previous statement that had been misconstrued.