"Just don't," Karnavian said in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday evening.
His remarks came after a photo of Bombana District head Burhanuddin wearing a luxury watch.
He stressed that public officials must show empathy for their communities by living simply. Displaying luxury items, he warned, risks eroding trust in local leaders.
"When there is no sympathy for leaders, when they make policies — even minor ones — they will be heavily scrutinized and bullied," he said, adding that credibility is the foundation of effective leadership.
The controversial photo showed Burhanuddin wearing the watch during the officiation of a local national flag-hoisting troop on August 15, ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
Posted by Bombana's Information Office on Facebook, the image spread widely across media platforms. Social media users identified the timepiece as a Rolex GMT-Master II 126729VTNR made of white gold, priced at more than Rp800 million (around US$49,000).
In response, Burhanuddin denied owning the luxury item, claiming it was a replica purchased for Rp1.9 million (around US$116) at Mangga Dua, Jakarta.
“When we have desires and cannot afford them, we buy the knockoff,” he said, adding that he bought the watch after returning from umrah.
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Translator: La Ode Muh. Deden Saputra, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Anton Santoso
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