By: Andika Simangunson )*
President Jokowi’s government continues to accelerate the development of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN). The Indonesian Capital City Authority (OIKN) provides assurance and certainty that the IKN development process involves local residents. This affirmation was conveyed by the Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources of the IKN Authority, Myra Safitri during the launching of the development of the Recreation Center and Fruit Park Development in the Indonesian Capital City (Puspanusantara).
Myra Safitri said that this project involves various parties, including upstream oil and gas cooperation contract contractors which can provide a positive economic impact for the local community.
The relocation of Indonesia’s capital city has long been a topic of discussion. Jakarta, as the current capital city, faces various challenges ranging from traffic congestion, flooding, to worsening air pollution. With the increasing population growth, Jakarta is increasingly burdened by inadequate infrastructure. Therefore, the government decided to move the capital city to East Kalimantan in the hope of creating a more planned and sustainable capital city.
The selection of East Kalimantan as the new location for the capital city was not done carelessly. In addition to having a large area of land, this area is relatively safe from natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis that often hit other parts of Indonesia. In addition, the relocation of the capital city is expected to encourage development in the eastern part of Indonesia which has so far received less attention compared to the western part.
One of the government’s top priorities in this project is to ensure that local residents are actively involved in every stage of development. The government recognizes that the success of this project is determined not only by the physical infrastructure but also by the support and participation of the local community.
Meanwhile, OIKN continues to involve the community in the process of developing the new capital city. Most recently, OIKN together with the village government and the Sepaku community held a meeting to discuss the results of a survey on the arrangement of the Sepaku corridor. The survey results showed that the majority of the community agreed with the arrangement plan, especially to improve market conditions that have been less than ideal and have caused congestion.
Deputy for Socio-Cultural and Community Empowerment (SBPM) OIKN, Alimuddin said the importance of community participation in the development of the IKN. Where the development of the IKN Nusantara is participatory, so that community aspirations will be the basis.
OIKN’s Director of Community Empowerment, Conrita Ermanto added that the survey was conducted by directly involving residents and market traders. OIKN targets the design of the Sepaku Corridor, especially the Sepaku Market, to be completed in October 2024 and construction is expected to begin in early 2025.
Likewise, the Head of BPD Bukit Raya, Mirwan Kaso, also hopes that the arrangement in the Sepaku economic center can be better. By actively involving the community in the planning and development process, OIKN shows its commitment to improving the quality of the environment and the welfare of the Sepaku community. It is hoped that the arrangement of the Sepaku Corridor can run smoothly and provide significant benefits to the local community.
In addition, the government conducts intensive consultation and socialization with local residents. In every stage of planning, the government tries to listen and consider input from local communities. This is done through various forums, meetings, and public discussions involving various parties ranging from community leaders, youth, to representatives of indigenous communities.
The government is also trying to create job opportunities for local residents. With a big project like this, many job opportunities are created both in the construction sector and in other supporting sectors. The government ensures that local residents get priority in filling job vacancies. In addition, there are also efforts to empower local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be able to participate in the supply chain of this project.
The government is working with local communities to ensure that development is carried out with environmental considerations in mind. This includes efforts to protect forests, manage water resources sustainably, and minimize negative impacts on local ecosystems. In some cases, the government is also involving indigenous communities in the planning and management of conservation areas around the new capital.
Local residents are also involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability. For example, there are programs that encourage the use of solar energy, better waste management, and other efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the development.
The involvement of local residents in the development of the IKN is expected to have a positive impact both socially and economically. Socially, the active involvement of local residents can increase the sense of ownership and pride of residents towards the new capital city. Residents do not see this project as something imposed from above but as something built together.
The economic impact of local community involvement is also very significant. With the creation of job opportunities and empowerment of local SMEs, the local economy is expected to grow faster. The income of local residents can increase and their quality of life is also expected to improve.
In addition, the involvement of local residents can also help maintain social stability. By feeling involved and cared for, the potential for social conflict can be minimized. Local residents can feel that they are part of the solution and not just objects of this development.
Despite the challenges and obstacles, the involvement of local residents is expected to have a positive impact both socially and economically. With the support and active participation of the community, the development of the IKN is expected to run more smoothly and successfully. The government has shown that with the right approach, major developments like this can be carried out in a way that respects and empowers local communities.
)* The author is a Journalist at Quantum Leap Management