Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially inaugurated the Authority Head and Deputy Head of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara, at the State Palace on March 10, 2022.

Through the Presidential Decree Number 9/M of 2022 concerning Appointment of the Authority Head and Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara, Jokowi appointed Bambang Susantono as the Authority Head of IKN Nusantara and Dhony Rahajoe as the Authority Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara.

The inauguration marked a new chapter in relocating the state capital (IKN) to East Kalimantan.

Regarding the inauguration, Jokowi said that the pair of Susantono and Rahajoe was a good combination.

He said that Susantono had a track record as an ITB graduate in the civil infrastructure sector and also in the urban planning field. Susantono held master's and doctorate degrees, with experience in transportation and finance. He last held the post of vice president at the Asian Development Bank.

Meanwhile, Rahajoe is experienced in the property sector. He earlier served as Managing Director of the President Office of Sinarmas Land.

Jokowi is optimistic that Susantono and Rahajoe would coordinate with the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet to develop IKN Nusantara.

As regulated in Article 10 of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning IKN, it is stated that the Authority Head and Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara will serve for five years from the date of the inauguration and may be reappointed within the same term of office. They may be dismissed at any time by the president before the term of office.

Article 11 of the IKN Nusantara Law states that provisions regarding the organizational structure, duties, authorities, and work procedures of the IKN Nusantara are regulated by the presidential regulation.

The organizational structure and filling of positions pertaining to IKN Nusantara are adjusted to the stages of preparation, development, and relocation of the National Capital as well as the need for the administration of a Special Regional Government for IKN Nusantara.

As regulated in Article 12 of the IKN Law, the Authority of IKN Nusantara, as the administrator of the Regional Government, is given special authority based on the IKN Law.

The specifics referred to include, among others, the authority to grant investment licensing, easing of business permit, the provision of special facilities to parties supporting finance in the context of preparation, development, and relocation of the state capital, as well as the development of the capital city and partner regions.

Further provisions regarding these special powers will be regulated in a government regulation after consultation with the House of Representatives (DPR).

Immediate Work

Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Wandy Tuturoong remarked that the Authority Head and Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara could work immediately after the inauguration.

After being officially inaugurated, they will be directly involved in various regulations derived from Law Number 3 of 2022 on IKN.

After the completion of the regulations derivative, they can immediately start operating.

This refers to Article 5 of the IKN Law which states that the IKN Nusantara’s Authority Head and Deputy Head have the right to organize the Regional Government for IKN Nusantara and carry out activities, covering preparation, development, and relocation of the national capital.

The stages and designs of IKN Nusantara have all been made and will be informed in the form of a presidential regulation, especially regarding the master plan, which includes all IKN plans and priorities.

The Presidential Regulation will also regulate the duties and authorities of the Authority Head and Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara. At least six Presidential Regulations related to IKN will be issued in stages.

The six presidential regulations are as listed on the www.ikn.go.id page, specifically: Presidential Decree of IKN Authority; Presidential Regulation on the IKN Master Plan; Presidential Regulation on Spatial Planning for National Strategic Areas (RTR KSN) and Restrictions on Land Rights Transfer; Presidential Decree on Funding Development, Implementation of IKN, and Management and Utilization of BMN; Presidential Decree on the Transfer of IKN Status from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara and Regional Division of IKN; and the Presidential Decree on Special Government Structures and Organizations for IKN.

Matters related to the transfer of IKN that are regulated through the Presidential Decree have also been mentioned in the IKN Law, including one of the Presidential Regulations that will regulate the transfer of state institutions, state civil apparatus, representatives of foreign countries, and representatives of international organizations and institutions.

Minister of National Development Planning (PPN/Head of Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa expressed his readiness to work together with the newly appointed Authority Head and Deputy Head of IKN Nusantara.

As the executor of the IKN study to the drafter of the National Capital Master Plan, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas will support, assist, and work together with the Authority to build the IKN Nusantara.

Symbolization of IKN Relocation

As a symbol of the government's seriousness in moving IKN to East Kalimantan, Jokowi had gone camping at the kilometer zero point of IKN Nusantara’s area in Sepaku Sub-District, Penajam Paser Utara District, East Kalimantan, on March 14, 2022.

East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor remarked that Jokowi and his entourage had gone camping on March 13-14, 2022, with supporting facilities, such as electricity, telecommunications networks, tents, and other necessary equipment.

All governors across Indonesia were also invited and every governor present was required to wear the traditional attire of each province.

During the camp activity, Jokowi also performed the Kendi Nusantara ritual with all governors present.

The governors, who attended the event, were instructed to bring water and soil from their respective provinces. Later, the water and soil were pooled together into a clay water jug, or the Nusantara Kendi, which was stored at the zero point of IKN Nusantara.

Governor Noor specifically brought soil and water from two areas: Kutai Kartanegara District and Paser District.

As is known, the location of IKN Nusantara will be partly located in the territory of the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate and in the territory of the Paser Sultanate. Water and soil from both places are symbols that represent the sultanate in East Kalimantan Province.

Various developments in IKN Nusantara that are currently underway are expected to facilitate the city with an inclusive, green, intelligent, and sustainable concept and is intended for all groups.

Thus, the main goal of relocating the IKN is achieved, specifically to build a new civilization, create equity in all fields, and become a model city, not only for Indonesia but also a World City for all.

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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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