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Bobby Nasution slams rival candidate for poor infrastructure management
The North Sumatra gubernatorial race is heating up as Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution and incumbent Governor Edy Rahmayadi trade jabs over road infrastructure ahead of the regional elections.
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National Awakening Party (PKB) deputy chair Jazilul Fawaid (right) shakes hand with Medan mayor Bobby Nasution (left) upon handing over a letter on the party's official endorsement in the upcoming North Sumatra gubernatorial election at the party's headquarter in Jakarta on July 4. The Islam-based party officially back Bobby, who is also the son-in-law of President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo, in the upcoming North Sumatra gubernatorial election, slated for November. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
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he rivalry between North Sumatra gubernatorial candidates Bobby Nasution and Edy Rahmayadi is intensifying ahead of the 2024 regional head elections. Bobby, the current Medan mayor, recently criticized regional leaders who avoid responsibility for road repairs, indirectly targeting the current North Sumatra Governor Edy.
Bobby cited the uneven infrastructure development in North Sumatra despite a Rp 2.7 trillion (US$177.6 million) budget for infrastructure, comparing it with the neighboring provinces that have better road conditions.
"If you feel your head bumping [while riding on the roads], it means you've entered North Sumatra. The roads in Aceh and West Sumatra are smooth, but as soon as you enter North Sumatra, the bumps begin, likely due to uneven infrastructure development," he said on Sept. 23, as quoted by tempo.co.
In response, Edy defended his administration, stating that the damage Bobby referred to was on national roads, under the responsibility of the central government, which Bobby's father-in-law, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, leads.
“The infrastructure problems mentioned by Bobby are in the [provincial] borders, [they are] national roads,” Edy said.
“There are roads which Mulyono has not yet finished [...] that is why I want to become governor again, in order to complete them.”
Edy was referring to Jokowi using his birthname, Mulyono.
Edy's remarks, viewed as shifting blame, prompted further criticism from Bobby, who argued that regional leaders should be accountable regardless of road jurisdiction.
Bobby said that residents do not care whether roads are under the central government or provincial regency administration’s responsibility, they just want them repaired.
"The important thing is to know that the road belongs to the government, right? Therefore, of course, the regional head's job is not just to throw away responsibility, but to be accountable," said the president’s son-in-law on Friday.
Bobby also highlighted his achievements as Medan's mayor, pointing out that his administration has repaired 3,200 kilometers of roads with a budget of Rp 12 trillion.
He said proper use of regional budgets can significantly improve infrastructure, urging that funds be directed toward the public’s benefit.
