By: Abdul Kadir)*
Building from the periphery is one of the programs that has become the mainstay of the government under the leadership of President Joko Widodo. With the momentum of the relocation of the National Capital, it is hoped that it will become an entry point for developing underdeveloped regions.
The emergence of various criticisms related to the relocation of the State Capital (IKN) to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan is considered to be disproportionate because it is only seen from a narrow perspective, namely only from the economic side, especially budget needs. In fact, IKN is not just moving government buildings and their employees, but also in the national interest.
So far, there has been almost no development in underdeveloped areas, but they are piled up in Jakarta, which is already overcrowded and unfit to be the capital city. Economic observer from the University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Achmad Ma’ruf, said that the transfer of IKN has multidimensional aspects for economic equality, geopolitics and national security, as well as security from natural disasters.
Ma’ruf said that we must think for the entire archipelago. Indonesia includes Kalimantan and Papua as well. Many people do not understand the insight of the archipelago, their minds are not clear, they make useless criticisms such as creating divisions. Of course, building a new capital city in an underdeveloped area is more important than corrupted state funds such as the Indonesian Bank Liquidity Assistance (BLBI).
The transfer of IKN provides sustenance to local residents who have been in short supply. Now, the roads around the core area of the IKN government center are smooth. Their travel time to other big cities, such as Balikpapan, becomes shorter. Especially if the road through to IKN is via the Balang island bridge.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Eko Putro Sandjojo assessed that the construction of the new National Capital would be a significant tool in increasing economic activity. Eko hopes that with this new capital, the acceleration of the development of border areas can be carried out. For him, this is a good action for equitable development. So it is hoped that the surrounding areas can also be affected by a positive economic impact with the new capital city.
Minister of National Planning and Development, Suharso Monoarfa, said President Jokowi wanted the shape of the Palace to reflect Indonesia’s characteristics. Currently the form of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta or Cipanas is identical to the rococo style. Where the style is the architectural style of the Dutch heritage.
Suharso stated that Jokowi has the desire that the national capital in East Kalimantan can later become the best capital city in the world. Therefore, the process of building a new capital city must be careful and creative.
To support the development of the New Capital City, the government itself will establish an authority body. The formation of this body refers to a Presidential Regulation or Presidential Regulation. Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro said the projections were made based on the value of the new capital city development project with the absorption of the workforce created. His party has calculated that a project worth Rp 1 trillion in the development of the new capital city will be able to absorb 14 thousand workers.
Meanwhile, the government’s initial projection is that the investment value of construction projects to be undertaken will reach hundreds of trillions. He stated that development in the new capital area would not only be carried out by the government, but also by the private sector. One of the schemes that will be used is the cooperation between the Government and Business Entities (PPP).
Bambang estimates that several investment sectors in East Kalimantan will become the priority for investors, namely health construction, restaurants, education, cement, trade, mining, services, transportation, hotels, finance, communications and fisheries.
The absorption of this workforce will of course develop underdeveloped areas which will have an impact on reducing the number of unemployed around the IKN area. Moreover, the government has ensured that it will open up job opportunities and participation for the community in this development. This certainly requires synergy between the government, the private sector and local residents.
The relocation of the capital city is of course a momentum for regional development, infrastructure development in IKN will have an impact on the absorption of labor. The involvement of local communities around the National Capital City will of course empower the community and participate in developing disadvantaged areas.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students