PU Minister Dody Hanggodo Says IKN Development Will Not Be Massive Like Jokowi's Era, This Is The Reason

Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo. (Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo said, there would be a possibility of a slowdown in the development of the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan. This is in line with the government's focus, which is currently leading to food self-sufficiency.

Dody said this was the result of his discussion with President Prabowo Subianto on several occasions. Even so, he ensured that the new capital city mega project would still be continued.

"We will continue the IKN, (but) maybe the speed is not what it used to be," said Dody when met by reporters at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 30.

He said Prabowo's concern arose that the war would heat up even though Indonesia was not yet self-sufficiency in food. If this condition occurs when Indonesia is still depending on a number of food commodities to foreign countries, it is feared that Indonesia will experience difficulties.

"It is feared that it will become a bigger social problem. That's why food security is the main focus," he said.

According to Dody, until now the Ministry of Public Works has built dozens of dams throughout Indonesia as a form of support for food security. He ensured that in the next few years there would be more dozens of other dams.

"There will be several tens more dams throughout Indonesia, but our focus on existing dams is revitalization plus improvement of primary, secondary, tertiary networks. So, our leadership targets in 4-5 years, (or even) previously achieved food self-sufficiency," he said.

In addition, Dody also ensures that the focus of its development in the future will be increased with community-based projects. This includes the target of increasing public access to clean water.

On a different occasion, Deputy Minister (Wamen) of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti ensured that IKN would continue. However, he confirmed that the current government is more focused on food self-sufficiency.

"As for IKN, right, the President (Prabowo) said it would continue. But he is currently paying more attention to food. If that is not continued later, right, it will be dangerous. And we still have to continue, this is a commitment from the President," he said.

As for the issue of the slowdown in the IKN project, his party will coordinate with the IKN Authority. Through the IKN Authority, investment from the private sector will continue to be boosted. Thus, he hopes that this change in government focus will not be too significant to affect development.

"Not all of them are with the state budget. From the IKN authority with investors, of course, they will also carry out that. And not all of them are at the PUPR Ministry. Later there will be their own directives specifically for IKN. Right, we are committed to moving there later," he concluded.