ER
THE relocation of the national capital from Jakarta to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, is a revolutionary step by the government of President Joko Widodo in realizing equitable development, increasing human resources, as well as encouraging the progress of national civilization.
The relocation of the country’s capital city to East Kalimantan, which is in the middle of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, will encourage more equitable distribution of development in other regions.
The relocation of the capital city will encourage infrastructure and economic growth, improve the quality and competence of human resources in East Kalimantan. Thus, the opportunity for equitable development to the surrounding area will be easier when compared to centralized growth in Java.
Deputy IV of the Presidential Staff Office Juri Ardiantoro said, based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), in the fourth quarter of 2020, of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of IDR15,434.2 trillion, 58.75% of which was still dominated by Java. , followed by Sumatra 21.36%, Kalimantan 7.94%, Sulawesi 6.66%, Bali and Nusa Tenggara 2.94%, and Maluku and Papua 2.34%.
This shows a very real disparity. It is hoped that with the development of the nation’s capital city in East Kalimantan, the reach and attention of all stakeholders towards equitable development in other areas will be more open.
The development of the new national capital has a noble goal and must be supported by all parties. Without a bold revolutionary step from a President named Joko Widodo, then the discourse of moving the capital city may continue to be delayed.
However, medium-and long-term planning is needed in the construction of this new nation’s capital city. Especially in the midst of a pandemic that requires the government to reallocate the budget for handling COVID-19.
With careful planning, Indonesia can immediately take off building the nation’s capital when the pandemic begins to subside. Medium-and long-term planning efforts need to be pursued in unconventional ways. So far, the government has determined that the financing scheme for the new state capital does not depend on the State Budget (APBN).
The largest financing scheme comes from government cooperation with business entities as well as contributions and investments from private parties. In addition, improving the quality of human resources must also be prepared in a measurable manner, not only by the government, but also the next generation, such as students.
Students should participate in preparing themselves for the opportunities that will arise in the new nation’s capital city. These opportunities are open not only from an economic perspective, but also from a political leadership perspective. Students can prepare themselves to take opportunities in future national political leadership.
Civilization progress
Coordinator of the Special Staff of the President of the Republic of Indonesia AAGN Ari Dwipayana said the construction of the new national capital (IKN) is a tangible manifestation of the development of civilization as a representation of the progress of the nation.
According to Ari Dwipayana, the relocation of the national capital has urgency, because the burden of DKI Jakarta as the capital city in the future will be even heavier, both as a government center and as a business center.
He also agreed that the selection of East Kalimantan as the location for the construction of the new capital city was very appropriate. Apart from the fact that East Kalimantan has minimal disaster risk, the population density is still low, as well as an effort to accelerate equitable development.
The geo-strategic position of East Kalimantan in the middle of Indonesia, he assessed, would make it easier for efforts to equalize the economy, especially to eastern Indonesia which is still lagging behind.
The relocation of the capital city is indeed expected to have a significant economic impact by being able to encourage trade between regions and encourage the creation of greater job opportunities.
The construction of the nation’s new capital city will be part of the important history of the Indonesian nation, where the new capital city will be an initiative of the nation’s children, not a colonial legacy. The Indonesian nation will prove its ability to build the desired capital city.
Young Indonesian talents must work together to make this happen, as well as open up opportunities for collaboration with global talents. This is why the development of the capital city also represents the progress of the nation’s civilization.
President Jokowi himself has warned that moving the country’s new capital city is not just moving the center of government, buildings and looking for strategic locations or designing beautiful architectural designs. But also, must have a big vision for the future.
First, the vision to become a compact and modern smart metropolis. Second, it must be designed to be an inclusive, attractive, humanist, friendly and comfortable city for all people.
Third, the new capital city will represent the nation’s identity by appreciating Indonesia’s diverse culture.
Fourth, encourage the growth of a smart economy, an economy based on research and innovation, as well as being able to create new job opportunities. Fifth, it is designed as a superhub of the surrounding area.
Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir said that the construction of the new state capital must also be followed by growth in other villages and cities. It aims to create a balance in development.
What Erick Thohir said was true. In anticipation of the surge in Indonesia’s population growth in the future, development cannot only be carried out in the new capital city, but in all regions simultaneously.
The goal is that the population density can be spread to a number of other areas, not just piling up in the new capital city. In essence, the new capital city must be a driving force for the nation’s economy in the future as well as a national identity that is in harmony with Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
The development of the new national capital must be able to answer the problem of equitable development that has often surfaced, while still paying attention to environmental aspects and local community participation. Everything must be pursued in new, innovative and extraordinary ways, together, in the spirit of realizing an Advanced Indonesia. [antaranews/photo special]
