IKN Getting Ready, Modern Government Prepared

JAKARTA – The development phase of the legislative and judicial areas of the Indonesian Capital Authority (IKN) has officially begun to strengthen the capital's foundation as a modern, inclusive, and sustainable center of government.

The Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, emphasized that the development in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, goes beyond mere physical infrastructure.

"Development not only provides adequate infrastructure, but also creates an integrated governmental, social, and economic ecosystem," Basuki said in Sepaku, as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

According to him, the impact of development must provide concrete benefits for various parties, from State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and construction workers to the surrounding community.

Social Impact and the Digital Economy

The commitment to the community is evident in the extensive capacity development program.

The IKN Authority, in collaboration with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), has trained 1,000 high school and vocational school students to become digital content creators. This program is designed to boost the digital economy and open new job opportunities for young people around the capital city.

In addition, 879 other capacity-building programs have been implemented, targeting mothers, people with disabilities, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Regulatory Readiness and Raw Water

Towards the status of a special regional government (pemdasus), the IKN Authority is collaborating with the Jimly School of Law and Government (UGM) to design a comprehensive regulatory framework and structure for the pemdasus.

Another vital aspect is water availability. Basuki ensured that raw water sources were ready to support the needs of the relocated civil servants. Among these needs is clean water, which has been prepared from the Sepaku Semoi Dam (an area of ​​800-900 hectares) with a capacity of 16 million cubic meters, providing a total of 2,500 liters per second of raw water.

Of this amount, 1,500 liters per second is channeled to the National Capital City (IKN) and 1,000 liters per second to Balikpapan City.

The Sepaku Intake is equipped with a water treatment plant with a capacity of 300 liters per second. The target is that the water flowing to the IKN is potable directly from the tap.

Accelerating Physical Development

Other priority projects, such as the development of the Sepaku Market, the National Mosque, and the Basilica, are targeted for completion and operation by the end of 2025.

Road connectivity in the sub-regional Core Government Center Area (KIPP) (WP 1B and 1C), housing, markets, and educational facilities are also being prepared to support the smooth relocation of civil servants.

Physical and non-physical development in the IKN is now progressing at an increasingly massive scale. Currently, at least 7,000 construction workers reside in construction worker housing (HPK). It is estimated that in the second phase, the number of workers will increase to 20,000 to accelerate the construction of the new capital city.