By: Vania Salsabila Pratama )*
The entire people of the country should give a very high appreciation for the strong commitment that President Joko Widodo has regarding the development of the Archipelago IKN. It is also his vision to be able to realize equitable development throughout Indonesia and eliminate the Java-centric paradigm as reflected in his second visit to IKN in February 2023.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Joko Widodo or Jokowi, so far has always tried to be able to carry out equitable distribution of development throughout Indonesia. In fact, the development in question is not only from the physical aspect, but also from economic equality to the population or human resources (HR).
Therefore, the Head of State revealed that it is very important and is the main reason why the development of the National Capital City (IKN) of the Archipelago continues to be accelerated, which is located in East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim). He tries to truly create equity so that development does not only occur in Java.
Not without reason, the article is undeniable that now everything is on the island of Java, even data shows that as much as 58 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the economy is in Java. Then as much as 56 percent of the population in Indonesia are also on the same island.
So for this reason, it is clear that there is extraordinary density on the island of Java so that there is a great need for equitable distribution of development, which according to President Jokowi development does not have a Java-centric paradigm, but shifts to Indonesia-centric.
The President also emphasized that moving the capital city from Jakarta to IKN in East Kalimantan Province was not his idea. According to him, the 1st President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, had initiated the transfer of the capital since 1960. Even former President Soekarno had plans to move the capital city to Kalimantan, namely in Palangkaraya.
President Jokowi also emphasized that relocating the capital city is not just a physical relocation related to buildings or government buildings. Instead, the transfer of work culture and new mindsets is accompanied by well-prepared systems and human resources.
With this seriousness, even he later had a big picture that later the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago in East Kalimantan would truly become a capital, which was completely unlike those of other countries and became a unique capital.
The President also believes that the IKN project will be completed in the next 15 to 20 years and that IKN will become a government city. Meanwhile, Jakarta, even though it is no longer the national capital, the President said Jakarta would still be improved and become a city of business, tourism and economy.
Meanwhile, an infrastructure expert from Trisakti University, Yayat Supriatna said, President Joko Widodo’s return visit to the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago showed that the development of IKN was part of the President’s vision of Indonesia 2045.
With the return visit made by the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, according to him, it means that the Head of State is very serious. Because it is very visible that President Jokowi continues to monitor and update on how development is progressing at IKN Nusantara.
According to Yayat Supriatna, currently the foundation for the State Palace is being made by the PUPR Ministry. So, symbolically there is a possibility that the President wants to lay the first stone for the construction of the Palace. The presence of President Jokowi is also at the same time able to become a symbol that the commitment in the upcoming 2024, in which the government will be moved to East Kalimantan, is really ready to be carried out.
The infrastructure expert hopes that the palace’s target can be realized, with all technical and building security considerations that ensure safety and security. Apart from that, Yayat also stressed the importance of considering aspects of maintaining the State Palace at the IKN. Another thing that needs to be considered is the carrying capacity in the form of basic urban infrastructure and facilities which must be prepared from the start starting from roads, water, open space landscapes, and various supporting aspects.
Furthermore, Yayat Supriatna advised that if indeed the construction of the State Palace had been completed, it would also be important for it to be accompanied by the completion of other government buildings, such as the official residences of ministers as well as ministry offices.
When the completeness of all the infrastructure in ring 1 has been completed, it will really support the planned relocation of ASN Ministries/State Agencies which will start in 2024 and can run easily.
Of course, President Jokowi has a very big vision, which is to be able to realize equitable development so that all aspects in all regions of Indonesia need to be given such high appreciation. Therefore, he truly has a commitment to continue accelerating the development of the Archipelago IKN in East Kalimantan to eliminate the Java-centric development paradigm towards Indonesia-centric.
)* The author is a contributor to Nusantara Reading Room
