Bobby Nasution Refuses Markup Project Proposals: 'Crazy, I Won't Do It'

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Afif Nasution is taking a firm stand against what he describes as absurd and inflated project proposals from regional government bodies. Nasution has publicly stated his refusal to sign off on these questionable submissions, expressing his dismay at the way some project documents mysteriously land on his desk for approval without any prior transparent discussion or presentation.

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I haven't even been inaugurated yet, declared the winner of the Sumut gubernatorial election by the KPU, and many have already called to congratulate me, then submitted requests for me to sign. I said, what project is this? How did it suddenly appear on my desk. Crazy, I won't do it.

Nasution recounted instances where, even before his official inauguration, he received numerous calls and project requests. He was particularly incensed by a physical building project proposal valued at Rp484 billion, which he claims was never properly presented or detailed, neither in its concept nor its financial breakdown. "The building was never presented, never exposed, suddenly they ask for a signature, I won't. Because I was never informed. It was never presented. It came to my desk wanting a signature. Just like that. The value is hundreds of billions. I refused," he stated, highlighting his commitment to due diligence.

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The building was never presented, never exposed, suddenly they ask for a signature, I won't. Because I was never informed. It was never presented. It came to my desk wanting a signature. Just like that. The value is hundreds of billions. I refused.

Emphasizing his commitment to good governance, Governor Nasution declared that he will not approve projects without clear justifications, especially when the budgets appear to be inflated. He pledged to implement stricter oversight of all OPD project proposals to eradicate wasteful spending and corrupt dealings within the provincial administration. "I will not sign if the process is unclear. Everything must be transparent and make sense," he asserted, sending a clear warning to regional officials against submitting dubious proposals or relying on political connections for budget approval. His focus remains on ensuring that development programs genuinely benefit the public, rather than merely consuming the regional budget.

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I will not sign if the process is unclear. Everything must be transparent and make sense.