By Andika Pratama
Indonesia, with its wide territorial spread and geographical diversity, has long been faced with the problem of inequality in infrastructure development. Some regions have experienced rapid development, while others are still underdeveloped in terms of infrastructure. To overcome this challenge,
The Indonesian government has taken ambitious steps by planning the construction of a new National Capital in East Kalimantan. This project is not only a symbol of change, but also a potential solution to reduce infrastructure inequality across the country.
The development of IKN Nusantara refers to a program that focuses on increasing connectivity and infrastructure development throughout the country, especially in order to reduce disparities in infrastructure development between regions. By reducing inequality in infrastructure development, IKN Nusantara is slowly reducing economic and social inequality between regions in Indonesia.
The program included in the National Strategic Project (PSN) is predicted to equalize infrastructure development in various regions of Indonesia, including remote and isolated ones, so that every citizen can feel the benefits.
Muhammad Bijak Ilhamdani, Member of North Penajam Paser DPRD, fully supports the development of IKN Nusantara. According to him, the existence of IKN will have a positive impact on development and the economy in East Kalimantan.
In other words, when IKN is built, the first thing that is created is road access to the capital city, and representative roads and bridges will be made. There will no longer be footpaths but good quality paved roads, because they will be passed by trucks and large vehicles carrying equipment for the construction of IKN
The development of IKN Nusantara is also related to plans to move the country’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. Moving the capital city is an important part of not only easing Jakarta’s burden but also an effort to distribute development and investment to other regions in Indonesia.
Apart from that, the development of the Indonesian Capital City is also a solution to the serious problems that befell Jakarta such as flooding, high population density and significant land subsidence. This effort was made to help reduce pressure on Jakarta and provide development benefits more evenly.
President Joko Widodo revealed the reasons for his desire to move the country’s capital to IKN Nusantara. This was done to ease the burden on Jakarta, which is always faced with traffic jams, floods, and air pollution that never changes. So this burden that is too heavy must be reduced from what was previously Java-centric to Indonesia-centric so that there can be equal distribution of economic growth and an even distribution of the population that Indonesia has.
The development of the Archipelago Capital City in East Kalimantan will bring major investment in infrastructure. Such as the construction of roads, ports, airports and public transportation will be improved. This will help reduce infrastructure disparities between more developed and underdeveloped regions in Indonesia.
Investment in the development of better IKN Nusantara Infrastructure will increase the mobility of goods and people throughout the country. This will encourage more equitable economic growth, reduce economic disparities between regions, and create new economic opportunities in previously isolated areas. For example, the presence of IKN Airport makes the IKN area more open, connectivity better and easier to reach from anywhere.
The presence of infrastructure development that supports the quality of mobility certainly supports more equitable economic growth, better accessibility to basic services, and a better quality of life for people throughout the country.
Director of Financing of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) Muhammad Naufal Aminuddin revealed that to date there are more than 500 investment projects and contributions that have been identified in the IKN Central Government Core Area (KIPP), East Kalimantan.
Around 190 projects include the development of green open space (RTH), 149 mixed area projects, 72 educational facilities, 31 worship facilities, 17 health facilities, 10 sports facilities, three projects for recreation, culture and arts facilities, and social development two projects
The development of IKN Nusantara also encourages collaboration between the central government, regional governments, the private sector and various other stakeholders to achieve the goal of more equitable and sustainable infrastructure development.
Strong cooperation between the central and regional governments is the key to the success of developing the Archipelago Capital City in East Kalimantan. In this case, coordination, good communication, and clear roles for each party are very important to ensure that this project can run smoothly and in accordance with common goals.
The development of the Archipelago Capital City in East Kalimantan is a major step in overcoming infrastructure inequality in Indonesia. This project has the potential to be a very significant solution with far-reaching positive impacts. Although there will be challenges, the development of the Archipelago Capital City is an important milestone in making Indonesia more inclusive and sustainable in its infrastructure development and economic growth.
*The author is a Uhamka student