By: Bimo Ariyan Beeran )*
The relocation of the national capital (IKN) from DKI Jakarta to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, has brought many positive impacts for Indonesia. First, the economy in Kalimantan will get better. Second, there will be a lot of investment so that people’s lives in IKN and its surroundings will also improve. IKN is not only good for the government, but also for the people.
Before IKN Nusantara officially moves in 2024, in 2023 the construction will be carried out carefully. Various buildings will be built at IKN, especially the Presidential Palace. After all preparations are complete, a commemoration ceremony for Indonesian independence will be held at the IKN Presidential Palace, which is August 17, 2024.
The relocation of IKN to East Kalimantan will bring many positive impacts. East Kalimantan Regional Secretary Sri Wahyuni stated that since North Penajam Paser was declared a National Public Service, the occupancy rate of hotels in Balikpapan has increased. This happens because Balikpapan is very close to IKN, only 89.6 KM or nearly 2 hours drive.
In a sense, the development of the IKN has many positive impacts from the transfer of the IKN because it also affects the city next to it, namely Balikpapan. Foreign investors, local investors and IKN project supervisors choose to stay temporarily in Balikpapan. They stay at hotels in Balikpapan and increase the income of hoteliers there.
Especially when the Covid-19 pandemic lasted more than 2 years, the hotel occupancy rate has dropped drastically. After the pandemic subsided and the disease was under control, entrepreneurs in the hotel sector struggled to increase their income again. With the IKN in Penajam Paser Utara, they also benefit, because IKN visitors stay in Balikpapan.
Sri Wahyuni continued, many IKN visitors stay in Balikpapan because there is easy access from air and ground transportation. Currently agencies in North Penajam Paser and its surroundings often carry out activities, such as training. Participants who come from other areas come and stay in Balikpapan for a short break.
When hotel occupancy increases, it will have a positive impact on the economy. For example in restaurant entrepreneurs. Hotel visitors will come to eat there (because buying at the hotel is too expensive). Then, the people of Balikpapan can also sell souvenirs and visitors buy them as souvenirs.
This positive domino effect is expected to occur when the IKN is moved to Penajam Paser Utara, and it also has a good impact on the economy of the surrounding area. The government has thought far ahead. Moving the capital city is not just moving the government and building new buildings. But it must have a positive effect on the people of Kalimantan.
IKN also has many positive impacts on the people of Penajam Paser Utara. They will be more advanced because there is development of human resources (HR). So not only infrastructure and public facilities are made, but community human resources (especially Kalimantan residents) are also built.
How to increase IKN human resources by empowering local communities, namely residents in the East Kalimantan area. They are not allowed to cry in their own homes. In a sense, the natives continue to forge their skills to be more skilled and intelligent. When the IKN has been completed, it is easy to get a job armed with these skills.
Community empowerment is carried out with several trainings, and the aim is to anticipate the development of IKN. IKN spokesperson Sidik Pramono stated that the training will be held starting on July 4 2022. The aim is to improve the competency and professionalism of human resources, especially local communities. This is in line with the construction of the IKN which will begin soon.
Sidik continued, the opening of the training was attended by Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara, Dhony Rahajoe. Also there is East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor. While the first stage of training held included hydroponics, sewing, screen printing or digital printing , and baristas. The organizer is the Samarinda Vocational Training Center (BLK).
The average duration of the training is 20 working days and the number of participants per class is 16 people. They have been identified by the Sepaku District Government. After the training there is a competency test and certification. After that, the local Kalimantan residents will have a work network (making it easier to find a job or open a new business).
Don’t let the people of Kalimantan not be empowered or even worse, just become spectators when the IKN is being built. They must be involved because they are also Indonesian citizens. By being involved, they will be happy, because they feel responsible and want their area to be more developed.
The relocation of the IKN will bring many positive impacts for the people of Kalimantan, especially East Kalimantan. The people of Balikpapan have had a positive effect on the economy because visits there have increased. Visitors who will go to IKN will stay in Balikpapan, and increase hotel occupancy. In addition, the indigenous people of East Kalimantan received training so that their skills would further develop.
)* The author is a contributor to Persada Institute
