Basuki Hadimuljono Ngaku Will Be Head Of The IKN Authority, AHY: I Haven't Heard

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurthi Yudhoyono (Photo: VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono admitted that he had been given the mandate to serve as Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) definitively. It is rumored that the inauguration will be held tomorrow Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Responding to this, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), was reluctant to talk much. He admitted that he had just heard the news.

"I haven't heard of it, I haven't heard of it. Oh, huh?" AHY said when met at the PUPR Ministry office, Wednesday, October 23.

The Coordinating Ministry for Regional Infrastructure and Development led by AHY is a new ministry. Later, AHY will coordinate five technical ministries, namely the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Transmigration and the Ministry of Transportation.

On a separate occasion, Deputy Minister (Wamen) of the Ministry of Public Works (PU) Diana Kusumastuti also showed a similar response. Diana was reluctant to talk much, but her face was bright while holding back her smile when answering questions about Basuki's inauguration.

"We'll see first, yes. I haven't even heard about it. But, hopefully, yes (the issue is true)," he said.

For your information, Basuki himself has occupied the position of Acting Head of the IKN Authority. He replaced Bambang Susantono who resigned in June 2024.

Met during the handover of the position (sertijab) at the PUPR Ministry Office, Monday, October 21, Basuki admitted that he was given the mandate to serve as Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) definitively.

"I'm not preceding this, but according to Mr. State Secretariat and Mr. Jokowi, I'm still at OIKN," said Basuki.

Basuki's process as Head of the definitive OIKN is being managed by the Ministry of State Secretariat. However, Basuki does not know for sure when his position as Head of the definitive OIKN will be inaugurated. He is still waiting for the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) to be issued.

"I don't know yet, the Presidential Decree doesn't exist yet. It's being managed by the old and new State Secretariats," he explained.