Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the government had prepared some incentives and facilities, such as official residences and allowances, for civil workers (ASN) to move to Nusantara Capital City (IKN).

According to the president, the incentives and facilities are given to address any shortcomings while moving ASN for their duty in IKN.

“The incentives are prepared. If we do not have those, it will be difficult. However, with incentives, it will be different,” the president stated during an opening for the 2023 KORPRI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

“Official residences are available, both landed houses and apartments. Moving costs are also paid for the husband, wife, and kids. There are also dearness allowance and other facilities,” the president remarked.

The president explained that moving the capital from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara aims to realize an Indonesian-centric vision, so that economic equality no longer rests on Java or is Java-centric.

According to President Jokowi, Java Island is inhabited by 56 percent of the Indonesian population. As Indonesia’s population reaches 280 million, it means that 150 million of the Indonesian population live in Java.

Some 58 percent of the Indonesian gross domestic product comes from Java, so the economic turnaround only centers on the island.

Thus, he assessed that Java’s carrying capacity is no longer capable of sustaining the population, and equitable development must be shifted to East Kalimantan to be Indonesia-centric.

To kickstart the IKN Nusantara relocation process, the president underscores the need to move ASN from the central government to East Kalimantan.

On the other hand, Jokowi also admitted that moving ASN out of Java seemed more difficult, so incentives were needed.

“(It) needs the soul of a pioneer. In the past, being placed out of Java was not a big deal. It becomes quite complicated now. It seems quite complicated. However, later, when (workers) have been chosen to move, (then) hopefully, everything will be accomplished,” he stated.

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Translator: Mentari D, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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