Jokowi's Certainty Based In IKN Waiting For Infrastructure To Be Ready

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo's plan (Jokowi) based in the capital city of the archipelago (IKN) is still uncertain. At least that was conveyed by the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (Kasetpres) Heru Budi Hartono.

He said President Jokowi's certainty that he would have an office in IKN was still waiting for the readiness of basic infrastructure in the area. "We will see the development of existing infrastructure," said Heru at Wisma Negara, Jakarta, Monday, June 24.

Some of the infrastructures that are still being prepared include clean water supplies and IKN airports, which will be located in Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Regency, East Kalimantan.

Although airport construction is targeted to be completed in August, Heru said further checking is still needed and ensuring the airport's operational permit.

"Yes, there is water, there is an airport. Yesterday the airport (targeted) could be completed in August, yes, and the results of the information I got certainly still need improvement," he said.

Heru said the government continues to finalize preparations for a series of events to commemorate the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, which will begin with joint remembrance activities on August 1, 2024.

Different from the initial plan to hold a series of events to commemorate this year's anniversary at IKN, Heru said that activities during August 1-17 will be held offline and online, at IKN and Jakarta.

"There are time holes. There is an event on the 1st, 10th, 14th, 15th, then the 16th and 17th (August). We have set it (the president will) go back and forth (the scenario). For example, the 1st to the 10th is far away (the difference), of course (the president) will go back and forth to Jakarta," said Heru.

He said that the joint remembrance event is still planned to be held in Jakarta, the same as in previous years.

Meanwhile, other events such as the inauguration of the heirloom flag-raising troops (Paskibraka), the holy ceremony of honor and reflection, and the awarding of the honor of the Republic of Indonesia have not been confirmed to be held at IKN or Jakarta.

Previously, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) as well as the Acting Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) Basuki Hadimuljono revealed that preparations for the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia at IKN as a whole were declared ready.

"Overall, it can be declared ready, I think it's 90%. Later in July, the President will go to IKN again to check the final," said Basuki, early June.

According to him, President Jokowi checks one by one such as the location and the order related to the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia at IKN.

Basuki also said that in August 12 towers (menara, red) of ASN flats (rusun) at IKN will be fully furnished for ceremony participants to occupy. Meanwhile, the landed house of ministerial office will also be completed so that it can be occupied.