"President Joko Widodo planted the red Meranti, the Latin name is Shorea leprosula," Head of the Administrative Bureau of the Regional Secretariat of East Kalimantan Province HM Syafranuddin stated in Balikpapan, Tuesday.
The president, accompanied by First Lady Iriana Jokowi, planted trees after combining the soil and water from 34 provinces in Indonesia in a Bejana (container) Nusantara.
Syafranuddin explained that the tree planting, as a symbol of moving Indonesia’s new national capital city (IKN), was designed to not damage forests and nature.
Indonesia’s capital city is planned to be built with the concept of a green city and smart city.
In addition to President Jokowi and governors throughout Indonesia, several ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, including Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Bambang Soesatyo and Head of the IKN Authority, Bambang Susantono, also planted trees.
The development of Indonesia’s capital city was supported by the House of Representatives (DPR) and governors throughout Indonesia. This is marked by combining the soil and water from all corners of the country.
"Indonesia is a large archipelagic country united by land and water,” Syafranuddin affirmed.
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East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor planted a lime tree, with the Latin name Dryobalanops becarii.
The new capital’s development plan has been arranged to ensure that it will continue beyond Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi’s) presidency expiring in 2024, according to the Presidential Staff Office’s (KSP’s) expert, Wandy Tuturoong.
Law No. 3 of 2022 on the National Capital instructed that the new capital’s development be continued by Jokowi’s successor, he remarked.
"Law No. 3 of 2022 will ensure the new capital’s development continuity, as future presidents are obligated to enforce the law," Tuturoong noted.
The government is determined to proceed with the capital's relocation that will benefit the country in the long run despite existing and future challenges, he remarked.
"We also aim to improve the nation's future towards an advanced Indonesia in 2045," the KSP expert remarked.
Tuturoong noted that the National Capital Law, as the legal basis, has stipulated various aspects of the new capital's development comprising the capital authority, city development, land rights, environment, disaster mitigation, as well as security and defence.
"The regulation has provided a clear basis for development of the new capital that is expected to continue until 2045," the KSP expert noted.
The law has also stipulated the funding scheme and budget management for the capital's development, he added.
"The law provided the basis for the succeeding government to continue the capital relocation and development processes," Tuturoong remarked.
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Translator: Gunawan W, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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