Development of the New Capital City of Indonesia, President Jokowi’s Real Step to Realize Indonesia’s Progress
By Dani Iskandar )*
The development of the National Capital City (IKN) of the Archipelago is not just the relocation of the center of government from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. This major project is part of a strategic step initiated by President Joko Widodo as a real effort to realize Indonesia’s vision towards more equitable progress. IKN is not only present as a solution to the problems of Jakarta which is currently experiencing overpopulation and congestion, but also reflects a paradigm shift in viewing the future of this country.
In his briefing to officials of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), President Joko Widodo emphasized that IKN is an important symbol of a major transformation that is not only related to the physical relocation of government buildings. This project, according to the President, must be seen as an effort to change the mindset, work culture, and spirit of the Indonesian nation in facing future challenges. The IKN is projected to be a reflection of sustainability and innovation that is expected to be the foundation towards the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.
President Joko Widodo also reminded that the development of the IKN is not only about building a new city, but also about a profound transformation in bureaucracy and government. He invited TNI and Polri officials to adopt a more efficient, fast, and responsive mindset in facing increasingly tight global competition. With a per capita income target of 23 thousand USD in 2045, this transformation is expected to be a strong foundation for Indonesia’s long-term progress.
In addition to receiving support from the government, the development of the IKN was also welcomed positively by the local community, including the Dayak indigenous community in East Kalimantan. The General Chairperson of the East Kalimantan Dayak Association, Dr. H. Syaharie Ja’ang, praised President Joko Widodo’s steps in building the IKN as a major achievement in infrastructure planning in Indonesia.
For Syaharie, the development of the IKN is also part of an effort to equalize development in Indonesia. He considered that moving the capital city was not just about moving government buildings, but also a change in the way of thinking about economic growth that was no longer centered on the island of Java. This change, according to Syaharie, will open up greater opportunities for the development of other regions in Indonesia, especially in East Kalimantan, which has so far received little attention.
The General Chairperson of the Dayak Kutai Banjar Customary Defense Council, Mahtarudin, also gave his views on the IKN development project. He expressed his pride and respect for President Joko Widodo for the decision to make East Kalimantan the location of the new capital city. According to him, the Dayak Kutai Banjar indigenous people greatly appreciate this step, and they feel honored that their province was chosen from among the many provinces in Indonesia. For Mahtarudin, the relocation of the capital city will not only increase the profile of East Kalimantan at the national level, but also have a positive influence on strengthening the cultural identity of indigenous peoples on the international stage.
Support and appreciation also came from various other parties, one of which was the Sidrap Police Chief, AKBP Fantry Taherong. According to Fantry, the IKN Nusantara is not just a new location for the center of government, but more than that, it is a symbol of the major changes that are taking place in Indonesia. Fantry expressed his belief that with hard work and dedication from all parties, President Jokowi’s grand vision regarding the development of the IKN can be realized. Fantry sees the great potential that the IKN has, both in terms of its natural beauty and in terms of its infrastructure and planning.
The IKN project is indeed designed as an environmentally friendly and sustainable smart city. By utilizing renewable energy and modern infrastructure, the IKN is expected to become a city that is not only the center of government, but also a center for new economic growth that supports environmental sustainability. This is in line with President Jokowi’s grand vision to realize Indonesia Emas 2045, where Indonesia is expected to become one of the countries with the largest economies in the world.
The development of the IKN is one of President Jokowi’s real efforts in building a solid foundation for Indonesia’s future. With careful planning and proper implementation, the IKN will not only become the center of new government, but also a center of innovation and sustainability that can drive Indonesia to become a developed country in the future. This project is a real step by President Joko Widodo in realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, where progress, balance, and sustainability are the main pillars of national development.
)* The author is a student at Achmad Yani University
