The development of IKN Nusantara is supported by many parties, including the Balikpapan Community Organization. They support IKN because they feel that IKN will bring a lot of progress to Kalimantan, especially East Kalimantan. With good support and cooperation, the community is optimistic that the IKN development will run smoothly.
The National Capital City (IKN) will be moved from DKI Jakarta to North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan. The construction of the IKN continues according to the schedule and plans for the upcoming 17 August 2024, the Republic of Indonesia’s independence ceremony will be held at the IKN Nusantara Presidential Palace. IKN will be a unique capital city because it combines the concepts of a modern city, green city and sponge city .
Many parties support the development of IKN Nusantara, including CSOs in Balikpapan. Muhammad Yusuf, Chairman of the Main Remaung Kepatihan Selatan (RKS) of Balikpapan City, stated that the Indigenous Sultanate of Kutai Kartanegara Ing Martadipura Remaung Kepatihan Selatan (RKS), highly supports and welcomes IKN in North Penajam Paser (PPU), East Kalimantan (Kaltim).
Muhammad Yusuf continued, the Kutai Sultanate, the Paser Sultanate, the Banjar Sultanate and all of Kalimantan supported the State Capital being in East Kalimantan. The presence of IKN in East Kalimantan has made Balikpapan City a supporting city for IKN Nusantara as well as the gateway for IKN.
In order to support IKN Nusantara in East Kalimantan, Remaung Kepatihan Selatan is ready to cooperate and exchange opinions with other traditional stakeholders, with mass organizations and the people of Kalimantan, especially in East Kalimantan. Remaung Kepatihan Selatan Customary Troops of the Sultanate of Kutai are ready to collaborate with the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police to maintain IKN Nusantara development activities.
The support from mass organizations and the sultanates in East Kalimantan is very good because they feel that with the IKN, East Kalimantan and its surroundings will be more advanced. The relocation of the national capital is fully supported by many parties. Not only the local government in North Penajam Paser, but also the native people of East Kalimantan. If there is support, the transfer will certainly run smoothly because there are no conflicts.
Efforts to minimize conflict are indeed very important because relocation should not lead to war between tribes. If there is support from the indigenous people of Kalimantan themselves, there will be no friction due to SARA or brawls due to competition between migrants and natives.
The immigrants were not colonizers, because they were both Indonesian citizens. The natives understand that migrants are brothers even though they are of different ethnicities. They live peacefully and there will be no conflict. However, they will work together in building IKN, so that it becomes a more modern capital city.
Meanwhile, Lampang Bilung, Chairman of the East Kalimantan Dayak Fellowship (PDKT) Balikpapan City Branch, said we were very proud and it was a gift because Balikpapan City became one of the supporting cities for the National Capital. The East Kalimantan Dayak Fellowship of Balikpapan City has prepared human resources to be able to work together in IKN with all newcomers.
The preparations that have been made are a form of support for IKN Nusantara. The East Kalimantan Dayak Fellowship, especially the City of Balikpapan, is ready to collaborate and synergize with the TNI-Polri to maintain the development of IKN, and is ready to be the front guard to help realize the IKN Nusantara in 2024.
Meanwhile, support also emerged from Kutai community leaders. Haji Aji Prince Haryo Kusumo Puger, Member of the Advisory Council of the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate, stated that the Sultanate was building the national capital in North Penajam Paser. However, keep in mind not to set aside regional culture. With the existence of the national capital in Kalimantan , it will strengthen the nation’s culture and respect each other and strengthen friendship.
Haji Aji Prince Haryo Kusumo Puger added that the government must pay attention to customary lands because they are inherited from their ancestors. Part of the customary land of the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate was given voluntarily to be made the territory of the new national capital.
In a sense, the Kutai Kertanegara Sultanate was kind enough to give their customary land, because they were willing to sacrifice for the progress of Indonesia. However, the customary land must be properly cared for , and the land must be used as it functions , not to be misused .
The support from the Dayak and Kutai Kartanegara communities is invaluable because they, as indigenous tribes living in Kalimantan, act as hosts. The government has a higher position than the kingdom, but respect each other. So that mutually beneficial cooperation occurs.
The Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom and the Dayak indigenous people supported the construction of a new national capital because they realized that this would advance Indonesia and the people of Kalimantan in particular. Later a representative highway will be built so that people’s mobility will run smoother. If there is support from the indigenous people of Kalimantan , it is certain that the transfer of the national capital will go well.
The support from mass organizations and native East Kalimantan residents for IKN Nusantara is very valuable because it is certain that the construction will proceed smoothly. They are aware that this transfer will have a positive impact on the people of Kalimantan.
)* The author is a Contributor to the Windows Baca Institute
