Independence Day Must Be Given The Best, But Should It Be Bored?

Photo by Nick Agus Arya on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The DPR has sharply highlighted the state budget expenditure for the operational needs of the 70th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony in the capital city of Nusantara (IKN). The government was asked to provide an explanation, especially since there was information that many vehicles had been rented to support the implementation of the 17 Augustes at IKN.

"Isn't this a waste of the budget? In fact, there are still many people who are haunted by difficult economic conditions, even meeting the needs of a day's life is very difficult," said Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives Guspardi Gaus, Thursday, August 8.

"Do not let the public think that the government seems insensitive to the difficult economic situation of the community, because it is reported that the Government has rented around 1,000 cars and hundreds of luxury hotel rooms for guests during the celebration of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day at IKN," he explained.

It was informed that the government is said to have rented an Alphard car for Rp. 25 million per unit for mobilization from and to IKN, especially in the Central Government Core Area (KIPP). The news conveyed by the rental party, the Government rented up to 1,000 Alphard cars, although there was also information that said the government rented 100 Alphard cars for state guests and VVIP guests.

The government has denied renting many Alphard monals and admitted that it only prepared mass transportation in the form of 200 buses for invited guests, and special cars for a series of vehicles for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Guspardi assessed that the government should have been wiser in considering the swelling cost for the implementation of the commemoration of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day at IKN. Given that the facilities at IKN are not complete, there are many additional needs needed in its implementation.

"Actually, it's sad. Is the rental of luxury cars more important than meeting the basic needs of the community such as health, education, and infrastructure?" said Guspardi.

Guspardi also mentioned the price of hotels and car rentals that soared ahead of the commemoration of the IKN RI Anniversary. According to him, this will invite social jealousy in the midst of an economic situation as stated by President Jokowi, which is not doing well.

"This is something that is not conducive," said Guspardi.

In addition to the car rental price, the price of lodging also soared ahead of the commemoration of Indonesia's independence day at IKN. This is because there will be quite a number of VVIP and VIP invited guests, the five-star hotel will be a reference.

Based on information, the lowest Swiss Hotel Nusantara tariff currently ranges from IDR 4.8 million to IDR 8 million per night. Meanwhile, rental rates for presidential facilities range from IDR 20 million per night. Switzerland Badminton Nusantara is a 5-star hotel and is currently the only hotel in IKN.

Guspardi also criticized the increase in car and hotel rental rates to support invited guests to commemorate the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day at IKN because the increase was quite significant. He assessed that entrepreneurs seemed to be aji while taking advantage of this moment.

"It seems that the hotel and car rental service providers take advantage of the moment of celebrating the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day at IKN because there are no competitors," said Guspardi.

If the use of the budget is excessive for the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day, Commission II of the DPR, which hopes for government affairs, is worried that negative perceptions will arise from the public. Guspardi said the government would be considered a waste, even though it was done for a special day for the state.

"I understand that the Government wants to give the best in commemoration of Indonesian Independence Day. However, do not let it be considered wasteful so as to damage the image of the bureaucracy," explained the member of the Legislative Council of the Republic of Indonesia.

Guspardi also asked the Government to provide a detailed and transparent explanation to the public regarding the budget issued for the celebration of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day at IKN. Minister of State Secretary Pratikno has stated that the potential budget for this year's RI Anniversary commemoration has swelled because it is held in two places, namely IKN and Jakarta.

The public is said to need comprehensive clarification, especially before the Palace had denied the existence of special car rentals for important guests.

"The point is that the government must be transparent in providing explanations to the public. So that people understand what happened and how much benefit the use of the budget is," concluded Guspardi.