In our political system, it is clear that the IKN Law (Law Number 3 of 2022 on the State Capital) has been approved by the DPR and eight factions out of the nine existing factions. This means that the political law is complete. It should not become aJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that moving Indonesia's capital city (IKN) to Kalimantan Island should no longer become a polemic since the decision was taken during the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR).
"In our political system, it is clear that the IKN Law (Law Number 3 of 2022 on the State Capital) has been approved by the DPR and eight factions out of the nine existing factions. This means that the political law is complete. It should not become a polemic anymore," Jokowi stated on Tuesday.
The head of state acknowledged that the plan to move IKN from Jakarta to East Kalimantan had its pros and cons. This phenomenon commonly occurred, with the idea of a major change or transformation in a country, he added.
He explained that the IKN relocation aimed at equitable access to infrastructure, economic benefits, and social justice in Indonesia.
"This relocation is for equity in infrastructure, economy, and social justice," Jokowi remarked.
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The head of state also explained that currently, some 58 percent of Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) comes from Java Island, mostly from Jakarta.
In fact, there is an imbalance in economic activity and a gap between regions within and outside Java, especially since Indonesia has approximately 17 thousand islands.
"This is one of the reasons why moving the capital city has been initiated for a long time. In 1957, President Soekarno had a plan to relocate the capital city to Palangkaraya, but it was hampered by the political situation," he noted.
The idea of relocating IKN had also been brought up during President Soeharto's administration. Indonesia's second president had planned to move the capital city to Jonggol, West Java Province, he remarked.
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Meanwhile, there is also an inequality in the population figure since 56 percent of Indonesia's population resides on Java Island.
"Our country is big, and we have 17 thousand islands, 514 districts and cities, and 34 provinces. If we look at the population, 56 percent, or 156 million people, are in Java, although we have 17 thousand islands," Jokowi noted.
The IKN relocation to Kalimantan Island is already stipulated in Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning IKN.
On January 18, 2022, DPR's Plenary Session had approved the Draft of the IKN Law to be ratified into the IKN Law, which was then signed by Jokowi on February 15, 2022.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
