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Thousands Protest Governor in East Kalimantan, Demand Policy Audit

From Tempo · (2d ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Thousands of East Kalimantan residents protested at the provincial DPRD and Governor's office.
  • Protesters demanded an audit of Governor Rudy Mas'ud's policies and an investigation into alleged corruption.
  • DPRD members met with protesters and agreed to discuss the demand for an inquiry into the governor's actions.

The people of East Kalimantan have voiced their strong dissatisfaction with Governor Rudy Mas'ud's administration through a large-scale demonstration at the provincial DPRD and the Governor's office. Organized by the East Kalimantan People's Struggle Alliance, the protest saw an estimated 2,500 participants, including students, demanding accountability for the governor's policies. The protesters specifically called for an audit of the provincial government's budget and an end to corruption, collusion, and nepotism. They are particularly incensed by what they perceive as the governor's extravagance, citing expenditures of Rp 8.5 billion for official vehicles and Rp 25 billion for renovating his residence, while the public faces economic hardship. This sentiment, as reported by Tempo, reflects a deep public distrust and a demand for transparency and responsible governance. The DPRD's agreement to discuss the citizens' demands, including the possibility of an inquiry, signals a potential shift in the political landscape, driven by public pressure.

From the general public, there were around 1,500 people, plus more than 1,000 students.

— Erly SopiansyahThe Field Coordinator for the East Kalimantan People's Struggle Alliance, describing the turnout at the protest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.