Overloading a Truck not Forced to Change the BK or BB plates
The actions of North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, who stopped a truck with Aceh Province (BL) license plates in Langkat Regency to replace them with North Sumatra Province (BK) plates, drew public attention and condemnation from the public and Acehnese politicians.
A video of the raid went viral on social media after being uploaded by the account @medancyber_official.
Initially, the truck was stopped by the North Sumatra Provincial Government's Assistant for General Administration, Muhammad Suib, who asked the driver to get out and change the license plate to a North Sumatra plate. Suib argued that the driver earned his living in North Sumatra and therefore required the vehicle to use local plates.
"I'm not angry with you. You just work in North Sumatra (you have to use North Sumatra plates)," Suib said, as quoted by Tribun Medan, Monday (September 29, 2025).
The truck driver claimed the vehicle was purchased by his parents, who live in Aceh. However, Suib denied this and stated that the truck belonged to a company operating in North Sumatra, and therefore the vehicle tax should go to the North Sumatra provincial treasury.
"This company's vehicles must have BK plates so the tax goes to North Sumatra," Suib explained.
Afterward, Governor Bobby Nasution arrived at the location, inspected the truck, and confirmed Suib's explanation.
Bobby then asked the driver to convey this regulation to his boss so that vehicle tax regulations align with the company's domicile.
"Let your boss know that in North Sumatra, you have to change your plates to North Sumatra. So that your regional revenue goes to North Sumatra," Bobby said.
The Chairman of the Aceh House of Representatives Commission, Teungku Muharuddin, condemned the action as tacky and embarrassing, as it has the potential to trigger social tensions between regions.
According to him, differences in vehicle plates between provinces are commonplace due to economic and business ties between the regions.
"Aceh traffic police have never had a problem with vehicles with North Sumatra plates passing through, unless they lack a driver's license or vehicle registration," Muharuddin said, as quoted by Serambinews.
Muharuddin considered the reason for changing plates to increase regional revenue unreasonable and could damage social relations between Aceh and North Sumatra. He also considered the action not to reflect the attitude of a wise leader. "A governor shouldn't seek publicity in such a manner. It's tacky and embarrassing," he stressed.
He urged the people of Aceh not to be provoked and to maintain harmonious social and economic relations with North Sumatra.
Muharuddin also expressed his support for Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf's efforts to increase economic growth and reduce poverty in Aceh.
Responding to the controversy, Governor Bobby Nasution emphasized that there was no bias against neighboring regions or areas related to the policy. He explained that operational vehicles of companies domiciled in North Sumatra are required to use BK plates starting in 2026.
"There is no bias against any region in Indonesia or neighboring regions. However, in 2026, a regulation will be implemented requiring companies domiciled in North Sumatra to use BK or BB plates," Bobby said during his remarks at the North Sumatra Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) on Monday (September 29, 2025).
Bobby acknowledged that this policy aims to increase regional tax revenue.
"To realize tax compliance in North Sumatra, we urge all companies operating in North Sumatra to use vehicles with BK or BB plates," he concluded.
After a viral video about forcing people to change their license plates to black plates, a genuine video featuring Governor Bobby emerged, with content about overloading a truck. Governor Bobby politely reprimanded the driver, who was not ticketed, and not forced to change the license plate to black plate.
So there is an attempt to pit North Sumatra against Aceh by distorting the existing facts.
