President Jokowi Decides To Move IKN Outside Java In Today's Memory, April 29, 2019

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Between)

JAKARTA Memories of today, five years ago, April 29, 2019, President Joko Widodo decided that the government would move the State Capital (IKN) from Jakarta outside Java. This desire is not only a matter of moving the center of power, but also so that economic equality occurs.

Previously, the condition of Jakarta as an IKN began to be considered inappropriate. The various problems that inhabit Jakarta are behind it. Jakarta is jammed and flooded. Even the government can not build many government facilities in Jakarta.

Jakarta was once recognized as the most worthy Indonesian IKN. This condition is because Jakarta has been tested as the center of power for a long time. Moreover, many historical events related to the Indonesian nation are present in Jakarta, from the Youth Pledge to the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.

Problems arise. Jakarta's development itself is very fast. Jakarta quickly changes from The Big Village to Metropolitan City. This condition brings problems. Jakarta is already congested. Congestion is everywhere. This condition brings huge economic losses.

Not to mention the flood business where every time it rains, it greets Jakarta. This condition is exacerbated by the poorer Jakarta air quality every day. A series of problems carry the narrative that Jakarta is no longer suitable as IKN.

The government took a stand. The problem of Jakarta, which is not worthy of being IKN, began to be voiced seriously during the Jokowi administration era. The government considers that it is time for Indonesia to move IKN.

The transfer of IKN is not just a matter of relocating power. However, it makes everything not focus on Jakarta. Moving is the same as providing space for economic equality in Indonesia.

The development of centralization in Jakarta and Java actually brings a smell of setbacks on other islands. The government is starting to think about the location of the new IKN if the word Jakarta no longer holds the status of DKI.

"Similarly, it must also be considered from a social perspective, we want to minimize the potential for social conflict. And we also hope that the people around the area have an open culture towards immigrants," said Head of the National Planning and Development Agency (Bappenas), Bambang Brodjonegoro as quoted by ANTARA, April 29, 2019.

President Jokowi also spoke up. The transfer of IKN is non-negotiable. He decided that IKN would be moved from Jakarta outside Java on April 29, 2019. Jokowi revealed this seriousness in a limited meeting at the State Palace.

The decision to move IKN will be included in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). The location is that IKN is still carefully considered. The issue that developed IKN will be moved to Kalimantan.

Previously, the matter of moving IKN was actually not new. Jokowi said that this plan had come from the Soekarno era. However, only in his era was really taken seriously.

He believes that the transfer of IKN will have a major impact on economic equity. Jokowi also gave an example of the transfer of IKN in Malaysia to Brazil. The country is considered an example of the urgency of moving IKN.

"And when we agree that we will go to developed countries, the first question, especially what must be answered is whether in the future DKI Jakarta as the nation's capital will be able to bear two burdens at once, namely as a center of government and public services and at the same time as a business center."

Several countries have anticipated the development of their countries in the future by moving their government centers. I think we will exemplify a lot, both Malaysia, South Korea, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and others. So once again, we want us to think visionary for the progress of this country," Jokowi said in a speech as quoted by the Cabinet Secretariat website, April 29, 2019.