House Of Representatives Commission VI: IKN Is Important To Open A New Economic Center That Is Still Relying On The Island Of Java

Member of Commission VI DPR RI Herman Khaeron assessed that the development of the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago had a national interest impact as a vital project to encourage an inclusive economy and change the Indonesian economic center from Java Island, to be evenly distributed to various regions.

"The development of IKN is a big national interest because it will become a gateway for an inclusive economy, opening a new economic center, so it does not only rely on Java," Herman said in a statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, June 19.

According to him, IKN is designed as a catalyst to open up Indonesia's overall economic potential, encourage growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.

In addition, IKN as a symbol of the nation's identity and the center of new economic gravity is expected to bring a multiflier effect by making the growth epicenter more evenly distributed to areas outside Java to support the development of the Indonesia Sentris towards an Advanced Indonesia 2045.

He also said that IKN would reduce the gap between regions because moving the capital city outside Java encourages trade between regions, encourages investment in the provinces of the new nation's capital and surrounding provinces and encourages economic diversification.

"So that it creates an economic added value boost in non-traditional sectors in various non-Java regions," said Herman.

Even so, he admitted that it took time to make it happen. So far, IKN development has been on target. Overall, the construction of the first phase has reached 84.9 percent. The construction of the Presidential Office reaches 90 percent.

"IKN has become our national interest, of course it will take time to make it happen according to the IKN development roadmap. However, for the first phase of development, according to the data I have obtained, it is on the track," said Herman.

He said that the results of the audit by the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) found that the IKN infrastructure development was still constrained by the mechanism for releasing 2,085.62 hectares of forest areas from 36,150 hectares of land, which is still under the control of other parties because land management rights (HPL) have not been issued.

According to Herman, the Ministry of ATR/BPN is currently solving the problem.

"Currently, the Minister of ATR/BPN Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono is focusing and accelerating the resolution of land problems at IKN in a persuasive and fair manner," said Herman.

Segara Research Institute Executive Director Piter Abdullah said the success of building IKN would increase Indonesia's confidence to build new cities in other areas.

According to him, this has a major impact on efforts to accelerate economic equity.

"IKN must be seen as a start. If it succeeds in building IKN, it will definitely build something else because we have forgiven old thoughts if we can't move the capital city," said Piter.

Piter conveyed that the success of building IKN is certainly not only the task of the government. The community also has an important role in overseeing the development process so that it runs well.

"The government has limitations in building IKN. What the government needs from us is not insults, baseless criticism, but the contribution of ideas so that our common goals can be realized. So, not only criticism, but also solutions," said Piter.