By: Maya Naura Lingga )*
IKN is a symbol of Indonesia’s equitable development. When the capital city is moved to the middle of the country, it will have a positive impact. Kalimantan and other areas in central and eastern Indonesia will continue to be developed, both in terms of infrastructure, communications, etc. The government hopes for this equitable distribution of development, in order to create justice for all Indonesian people.
The National Capital will be moved from DKI Jakarta to North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan. This transfer had become the pros and cons in society. But actually they don’t need to doubt it, because when the government ensures that when the capital city is moved, it means there will be an even distribution of development. Indonesian citizens who will receive facilities and infrastructure are not only the people on the island of Java, but also on the island of Kalimantan.
According to the founder of the Millennial Archipelago Forum, Husain Firdaus, with the IKN, it can be seen that President Jokowi has succeeded in equitable development in Indonesia, such as the Mandalika Circuit, Labuan Bajo, to Trans Papua. With the construction of the IKN in East Kalimantan, the public must appreciate that Governor Isran Noor is serious about continuing equitable development in East Kalimantan.
Husain continued, the ratification of the IKN Law can also be commemorated as a reflection for all elements of the nation to evaluate developments that have occurred in Indonesia. How is the development of IKN, which is planned to use the concept of forest city, related to its application with the development that has been carried out. IKN symbols can be applied to develop themselves and prepare Indonesian human resources.
In a sense, IKN will become a symbol of equitable development. Regions that have good facilities and infrastructure are not only in Java. But also in Kalimantan and other islands. With the relocation of the capital city, development will be carried out throughout Indonesia and be more integrated.
The public should not be surprised when there is talk of moving the capital city. Actually, from the Old Order era, Bung Karno wanted to move the capital city from Jakarta to Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. The reason is because he wants the center of the state government to be in the middle of Indonesia.
Bung Karno’s idea will be realized by President Jokowi. The public is expected to understand that this transfer is not a personal ambition of the president. Rather, it is an effort for equitable development. When the capital city is in Kalimantan, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure will be built. The people of Kalimantan will feel the good facilities and won’t complain about potholes like they used to.
In addition, relocating the capital city will make Kalimantan even better. When the capital city is there, more representative schools, courses, etc. will be built. Children will have better access to education, and there is not much difference between the intelligence of students in Java and Kalimantan.
Equality must be done so that this country continues to progress. Imagine if what was built was only on the island of Java, the people who live there would progress. In fact, people on the islands of Kalimantan, Papua and other areas also have great potential. Therefore they can progress when there is an even distribution of development.
An example is in the field of education. Do not let good schools and universities only exist on the island of Java. However, on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, it is mandatory to build representative schools and campuses. Complete with qualified teachers and a complete library. That way, there is no difference between graduates in Papua and those in Java because they are both intelligent.
When the national capital is moved to Kalimantan, it will have a positive impact on the people of Kalimantan, because it can improve, especially in the economic sector. If the capital city is there, the state palace, government buildings, schools, large markets, etc. will automatically be built. Everything will have a positive impact on the people’s economy because the North Penajam Paser area is getting busier.
Progress is not only happening in Kalimantan but also other islands, because the access is closer (if taken by sea or air). That way, the wheels of the economy will run smoothly because it is closer to the national capital, and saves on shipping costs.
Another reason for relocating the capital city apart from equitable distribution of development is the condition of DKI Jakarta which is already too congested and congested. Politician Bambang Brodjonegoro stated that in a year, Jakarta’s traffic jams make a loss of 65 trillion. A loss of this magnitude certainly makes the government dizzy, because the adage that time is money actually happens. When Jakarta is jammed, traders lose because they are late in sending fresh food, workers lose because they arrive late to the office and their wages are deducted, etc.
If the capital city is moved, then some workers in Jakarta will also move to Kalimantan. Especially those with civil servant status and ministry employees. Traffic jams will be much reduced, because many residents will also leave Jakarta, which is already too congested.
Hopefully the people will understand the relocation of the national capital from Java to Kalimantan. The government really thinks about the welfare of its people. When the capital city is moved, Kalimantan will be more advanced thanks to modernization in the Kutai Kartanegara area and its surroundings. Development will be more evenly distributed, and not only centered in Jakarta but also in Kalimantan and throughout Indonesia.
)* The author is a contributor to Nusantara Reading Room
