Solo city hall birthday billboards for Jokowi questioned in DPRD
Commission II of the Solo DPRD says billboards at about seven locations could violate the budget if paid for with the APBD.
The installation of 65th birthday billboards for Joko Widodo by Pemerintah Kota Surakarta came under scrutiny after they appeared at at least about seven locations in Solo. Solo Gerindra DPC chairman Ardianto questioned why similar treatment was not given to President Prabowo Subianto, while Solo Mayor Respati Ardi is a Gerindra cadre. The dispute then spread to the Solo DPRD. Commission II member Silvester Rony Kamtoro said the billboards could violate budget rules if financed by the APBD, because regional funds must be used for the public interest, not for individuals or groups. He also raised concerns over the use of the official Pemerintah Kota logo if the funding actually came from private parties. Respati said the billboards were a form of appreciation for Jokowi's role as Solo mayor in 2005-2012 and as the 7th president of the Republic of Indonesia.