Kaltim Provincial Government Clarifies Status of KT1 Range Rover Not Belonging to the Government but the Governor

A luxury vehicle of the Range Rover type with the number plate KT 1 during the inauguration of the KADIN Kaltim management in the Nusantara Capital (IKN). (ANTARA/ HO- social media screen capture)

SAMARINDA - The East Kalimantan Provincial Government officially provided clarification regarding the controversy over the use of a Range Rover vehicle with the number plate KT 1 by East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas'ud during a visit to the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) and has been widely circulated on social media.

The head of the East Kalimantan Communication and Information Service (Diskominfo), Muhammad Faisal, emphasized that the vehicle used by Governor Rudy in the inauguration of the East Kalimantan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) at the IKN was not an asset of the local government.

Faisal clarified that the Range Rover was the governor's personal property. The use of the KT 1 number plate on the private vehicle was justified by protocol as long as it was used in the context of the service duty.

"The vehicle is a Range Rover 3.0 SWB Autobiography, which was purchased entirely using non-APBD funds. The use of the KT 1 plate is a form of standard protocol because he is on duty. If used for personal affairs, the plate will return to the general number," said Faisal as reported by ANTARA, Friday, March 6.

He also added that the operational permit for the vehicle is currently temporary because the administrative process is ongoing.

Answering public doubts about the similarity of the car to the plan to procure official cars in the 2025 Amendment APBD, Faisal explained the significant technical differences, namely Personal Car (In East Kalimantan): Range Rover 3.0 SWB Type (Standard Wheelbase) Autobiography P550e. Has a vehicle length of around 5,052 mm.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government Service Car (In Jakarta): Range Rover 3.0 LWB (Long Wheelbase) Autobiography P460e type. Has a longer body, namely 5,252 mm.

"Although the brand and color may be identical, in terms of specifications the Standard and Long Wheelbase types are different. So, the vehicles currently in East Kalimantan are not the result of government procurement," he said.

Regarding the plan to cancel the previous procurement of official cars, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government has brought the latest news. The provider (dealer) has sent a reply letter agreeing to the return of the vehicle and the return of the full refund to the Regional Treasury.

The return process will be carried out through a mechanism, the re-deposit of funds into the Regional Treasury by the provider, the signing of the Transfer Report (BAST) in Jakarta and the physical handover of the vehicle back to the provider.

To ensure that all of these cancellation processes are in accordance with the regulations on the procurement of goods and services, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government continues to coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) through an online meeting. The Government Procurement Policy Agency (LKPP) RI for assistance in rules.

"We are committed to transparency. We will open the complete information regarding the mutation of the return of funds to the public immediately after the completion of the entire administrative process," concluded Faisal.