The Transfer Of ASN To IKN Nusantara Must Be Clear Calculations

President Jokowi delivered a speech at the Opening of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Indonesian Civil Service Corps (Korpri), Jakarta, Tuesday (3/10/2023). (Between/Mentari Dwi Gayati/am)

President of the Republic of Indonesia Jokowi (Jokowi) said the government had prepared a number of incentives and facilities in the State Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago. This was done by the government as an effort to make the transfer of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) to IKN Nusantara run smoothly.

This was conveyed by Jokowi at the Korpri National Working Meeting at the Mercure Ancol Hotel, North Jakarta, Tuesday (3/10/2023).

"Incentives have been prepared. If this doesn't exist, it's tough. But if there are incentives, it's different. Official houses, there are also landed houses and apartments. Moving costs are also given by husband and wife plus children. There are expensive allowances and other facilities," said Jokowi.

Jokowi said that the transfer of the capital city from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara was for economic equity so that it did not only rely on Java or Central Java. Thus, it is hoped that economic equality will be created after moving the capital city from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara.

In order to support the relocation of the capital city to IKN Nusantara, the government will send nearly 17,000 ASN, TNI, and Polri to occupy IKN Nusantara.

The government is preparing to build landed houses for the residences of ministers in IKN Nusantara. The area ranges from 390 square meters to 490 square meters depending on their position. In addition, flats covering an area of 98 square meters to 290 square meters are also prepared for functional officials, Echelon 3 class officials and Echelon 2 officials.

The Rp4.2 trillion budget for the construction of landed houses and ministers and ASN flats has been prepared by the Directorate General of PUPR housing.

However, the transfer of ASN to IKN Nusantara in Kalimantan gave rise to skeptical thoughts. Not a few people doubt the success of this plan. Moreover, considering that there is only less than three months to welcome the new year 2024, but there are no signs of residential development for ASN.

Public policy observer Agus Pambagio said that until now there has been no clarity regarding the compensation received by ASN who moved to IKN Nusantara.

"The incentive status is not clear. Is the house provided there enough for the ASN to be moved. All calculations must be detailed, it must be clear. If it is not clear, the social problem is very high," Agus Pambagio told VOI.

Everything must be calculated very well. Moving the capital city requires careful calculations. To avoid greater expenses, everything must be calculated properly," he added.

Some ASN admit that they are ready to move to IKN Nusantara because they want new experiences and are used to monitoring, but not a few are pessimistic and doubtful about all the offers made by the government.

"Looking at the current conditions and development progress, it seems that it will still take a long time to go to conditions that are in accordance with what has been socialized, such as official residences and others," said an ASN, who was not willing to be named.

Regarding ASNs who do not want to be transferred, Agus considered it a natural thing, but they must be prepared for the consequences.

"For ASN who refuse to move, it must be in accordance with ASN's promise, which is willing to be placed anywhere, so if you refuse, you must be prepared for the consequences," concluded Agus Pambagio.

In addition to infrastructure unpreparedness, other problems also overshadow the plan to move ASN to IKN Nusantara. They are worried about the condition of IKN Nusantara which is far from comfortable. Starting from the hot weather to the location of the housing plan that goes far to IKN Nusantara.

The weather is hot and the water is also not good. To get to the location, it turns out to be far away. Even though there is a toll road, after leaving the toll road to go to IKN, it is still quite far away," said another ASN, who also did not want to be identified.

Meanwhile, a public policy observer from Gadjah Mada University, Bayu Dardias Kurniadi, assessed that preparing all basic infrastructure to support the life of ASN at IKN Nusantara in 2024 would be a big challenge. Moreover, most infrastructure projects during the Jokowi administration were not completed on time.

The challenge is getting bigger because the IKN Nusantara project is the only moving capital city around the world across the island. Reflecting on Malaysia's experience of moving the administrative center from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, the country usually looks for the closest city to make a massive move.

"So this is a high risk because for the first time there is a capital city that moves hundreds of kilometers across the ocean. But whether it's possible I think it's very possible because it's already part of our national considerations and policy choices. It's just that everything has to be thought of carefully, "explained Bayu.

Bayu also said that Jokowi's plan to hold the August 17, 2024 ceremony at IKN Nusantara was risky.

"For example, Mr. Jokowi plans to hold an August 17 ceremony at IKN next year, it's a high risk. I don't want to say pessimistic, but it's a high risk," he said.