By: Rinda Astuti)*
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is known as a visionary figure in infrastructure development and long-term planning. One of the significant achievements of his administration is the development of the National Capital City (IKN) of the Archipelago, which is a strategic step to encourage equitable development and reduce dependence on Jakarta as the center of government.
IKN Nusantara is its mega infrastructure project that is intended to move the center of Indonesian government from Jakarta, which has been facing various problems such as traffic jams, pollution, and land subsidence. The main goal of this relocation is to reduce the burden on Jakarta, distribute economic growth more evenly across Indonesia, and create a more modern and sustainable center of government.
President Jokowi’s government proposed East Kalimantan as the new location for the Indonesian capital. This location was chosen because it is considered strategic, considering its connectivity with various regions in Indonesia and the potential to develop areas that have so far been underdeveloped.
The main success of the IKN Nusantara project can be seen from the progress of infrastructure development that has been carried out. This project involves the construction of various types of infrastructure, ranging from toll roads, bridges, to public facilities and housing.
One of the biggest achievements is the construction of the main road connecting the IKN with various important areas in East Kalimantan. This road is expected to facilitate better mobility and accessibility for government employees and residents who will move to the IKN. In addition, the construction of bridges and transportation systems also receive serious attention to ensure optimal connectivity.
Keerom Regency Regent, Piter Gusbager, assessed that the IKN Nusantara is a strong symbol that has a meaning or picture of the future of an advanced Indonesia, and this symbol is being worked on by President Jokowi. According to him, through this IKN, how the dreams and visions of Indonesia in the future are expected to be more advanced through the thoughts or pictures that are currently being worked on by the former Mayor of Solo.
According to Piter, President Jokowi is a hard-working leader and has a far-sighted vision in building this nation, this is reflected in the IKN. With this, President Jokowi has laid a new history for this nation towards a more advanced Indonesia in the future.
Piter Gusbager also expressed his appreciation to President Jokowi for the knowledge or concept of thinking and the views of a leader in developing his region to be better and more advanced in the future.
The aspect of sustainability is one of the main focuses in the development of the Indonesian capital. The Jokowi government is committed to creating an environmentally friendly and sustainable city. One concrete step in this regard is the implementation of the green city concept which involves the use of renewable energy, efficient waste management, and the development of green open spaces.
IKN Nusantara is designed with attention to the balance between development and environmental preservation. The government has made various efforts to maintain biodiversity and reduce negative impacts on the local ecosystem. One real example is the effort to replant trees and maintain forests around the development area.
The relocation of the center of government to the IKN Nusantara is expected to have a significant positive impact on the economy and society. With the presence of a new center of government, it is hoped that there will be an even distribution of development and an increase in the quality of life outside Java.
The General Chairperson of the Indonesian Museum Association (AMI), Putu Supadma Rudana, also appreciated the acceleration of the development of the IKN Nusantara carried out by President Jokowi. According to him, since independence, Indonesia has not had a capital city that was specifically built by narrating the glory of the Archipelago. However, the founding fathers have made various commitments on how to become a nation in the spirit of one nation, one nation, and one language. In line with this spirit, the founding fathers built a foundation for the nation and state in the form of Pancasila.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives hopes that there will be continuity after President Jokowi initiated or proposed that the Capital City be in a new location. Moreover, the development of the IKN area involves the nation’s best sons and daughters from various fields, especially artist/designer I Nyoman Nuarta who initiated the concept where the Capital City truly reflects the noble roots of Nusantara culture.
The success of the Jokowi administration in building the IKN Nusantara shows a long-term commitment and vision for the progress of Indonesia. This project is not just a relocation of the center of government, but also a strategic step to overcome the problems faced by Jakarta and encourage equitable development throughout Indonesia.
With its ever-evolving infrastructure, commitment to environmental sustainability, and positive economic and social impacts, IKN Nusantara has the potential to become an example of a smart and sustainable city of the future. While challenges remain, the achievements that have been made show that the project is on the right track to creating a better future for Indonesia.
)* The author is a social media activist