So, in my opinion, there is no turning back. IKN is irrevocable, and it must go on.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The decision to construct the new capital, Nusantara (IKN), is irrevocable, and therefore, the IKN’s development must go on, Investment Minister and head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has said.

Many countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea, and China, have expressed an interest in investing in the IKN development project, he informed here on Wednesday.

"So, in my opinion, there is no turning back. IKN is irrevocable, and it must go on," he said.

He asked everyone to be optimistic regarding the development of IKN, assuring it would not be delayed and would be carried out as planned.

"I want to say that the investment that will go to IKN, the (investing) countries are available. But we can't keep talking every day about this country and that country (are investing). It would sound like empty talk. Just believe it that investment for IKN is available already, for example (from) the UAE, Korea, Taiwan, and China," Lahadalia expounded.

He said that he recently accompanied the chairman of Foxconn to a meeting with President Joko Widodo. On that occasion, the Foxconn chairman had expressed his desire to participate in the IKN smart city development project.

"Yesterday, I arranged another meeting for the President to go to Korea, I met POSCO. POSCO also wants to invest. Hence, we will go there to visit several new city developments," he informed.

Recently, the President invited a number of chief editors of national mass media and local media to visit North Penajam Paser district, East Kalimantan province, where Indonesia's new capital city will be built to replace Jakarta, the current capital.

Widodo said he is optimistic that IKN's infrastructure development would run smoothly and according to schedule.

The initial stage of the IKN development for the 2022–2024 period is expected to begin in August this year.

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Translator: Ade Irma J, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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