Media Kampung – 24 Maret 2026 | Governor of East Kalimantan Rudy Mas’ud issued a public apology to President Prabowo Subianto over the procurement of an official vehicle valued at 8.5 billion rupiah.
The apology came after the president publicly rebuked the purchase as an example of excessive spending by regional officials.
Mas’ud stated that the car was intended for personal use and not for official duties, acknowledging the misunderstanding.
He added that the decision to acquire the vehicle was made before his current term and that he will return the car to the provincial treasury.
The governor’s statement was released through a brief press conference held in Samarinda on Monday.
In the same event, Mas’ud reiterated his commitment to fiscal discipline and promised tighter oversight of provincial assets.
Critics had previously highlighted the governor’s net worth, which includes several business interests in mining and logistics.
Transparency advocates argued that the high‑priced vehicle contradicted the government’s pledge to reduce public expenditure.
President Prabowo, speaking at a national forum, questioned why a regional leader needed a luxury car while many citizens faced rising living costs.
The president’s remarks sparked a wave of commentary on social media, with many demanding accountability from local officials.
Mas’ud’s apology aimed to calm the controversy and restore confidence in the provincial administration.
He also pledged to submit a detailed report on the vehicle’s acquisition to the regional legislative council.
Aside from the political drama, East Kalimantan hosted the Piala Gubernur Kaltim football tournament in 2018, a regional competition that draws significant public interest.
The tournament’s semifinal stage was scheduled for Friday, 2 March 2018, with two matches broadcast live on MNC TV.
Borneo FC, the Group A champion, faced Sriwijaya FC, the Group B runner‑up, at Stadion Segiri at 19:30 WIB.
The other semifinal pitted Persebaya Surabaya against Arema FC, a classic East Java derby, at 15:30 WIB in the same stadium.
The live telecast allowed fans across the nation to follow the matches, highlighting the tournament’s growing popularity.
Organizers emphasized that the competition promotes regional talent and fosters camaraderie among provincial teams.
The semifinal lineup featured notable players such as Hamka Hamzah and Adam Alis for Sriwijaya, as well as foreign imports like Makan Konate and Manuchekhr Dzhalilov.
The Persebaya‑Arema clash marked the first meeting of the two clubs in the tournament after missing each other in the 2018 President’s Cup.
Both teams expressed confidence in their preparation, noting that the shift of the derby venue from Stadion Segiri to Stadion Palaran was due to logistical considerations.
The tournament’s success was reflected in viewership ratings, with MNC TV reporting a surge in audience share during the evening match.
While the football event captured public attention, the governor’s apology dominated national headlines the following week.
Political analysts observed that the controversy may affect Mas’ud’s standing ahead of the upcoming regional elections.
They warned that any perceived misuse of public funds could be leveraged by opposition parties in future campaigns.
Mas’ud’s office responded that the vehicle’s purchase complied with existing procurement regulations at the time.
The governor also noted that the car’s maintenance costs will be covered by his personal budget, not by the provincial coffers.
Civil society groups have called for an independent audit of all high‑value assets acquired by the provincial government in the last five years.
The audit recommendation aligns with President Prabowo’s broader push for transparency and anti‑corruption measures nationwide.
In summary, Rudy Mas’ud’s apology seeks to mitigate the fallout from the costly car purchase while the region continues to celebrate its sporting achievements through events like the Piala Gubernur Kaltim.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
