Governor Isran Noor Denies There Are Community Groups Rejecting State Capital To Move To East Kalimantan

Governor of East Kalimantan Isran Noor/ANTARA

SAMARINDA - East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor emphasized that there was no rejection by the local community regarding the determination of the East Kalimantan region as the state capital (IKN).

"Similarly, after the ratification of the IKN Law by the Indonesian House of Representatives, Tuesday (18/1). Even since it was announced by President Joko Widodo on August 26, 2019, the people of East Kalimantan have fully supported it. No problem, there are no claims, let alone rejections," asserted Governor Isran Noor in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 20.

Isran Noor also dismissed the discourse that the people of East Kalimantan would be marginalized by the presence of migrants who reached millions of people in the capital city of the new country, so that it could potentially lead to public rejection.

According to Isran Noor, the people of East Kalimantan do not have a bad track record in terms of tolerance, diversity, including openness to accepting immigrants.

"There are few indigenous people in East Kalimantan. Most of them are from Java, 35 percent. Only Sulawesi, 20 percent. The rest are mixed with other tribes, including the indigenous Dayak, Kutai. Mixed with Banjar and others. They live side by side without any problems," said Isran Noor pathetic.

Meanwhile, regarding the claim of a group of people asking to be involved, according to the Governor, it is a normal matter and should be fulfilled.

"What is important is in accordance with the capabilities and capacities of each. But what is clear, IKN is not only for East Kalimantan, but equitable development for all regions of Indonesia. Not Java centric, let alone only Jakarta," he said.

The governor said the residents of East Kalimantan were citizens who obeyed the orders and rules of the state. Because since Indonesia's independence until now, East Kalimantan has become the republic's largest oil producer and a source of state financing.

Likewise, in the 1970s, East Kalimantan again became the largest foreign exchange earner from the largest and most luxurious timber for the country.

Furthermore, from the 80s to the present, East Kalimantan has become the largest contributor to coal production in Indonesia, reaching 60 percent. And during that time, the people of East Kalimantan have never rebelled against the state.

"Especially when East Kalimantan is set to become the nation's capital. The people of East Kalimantan are very supportive because we are very obedient," explained the Governor.

"IKN is a challenge, as well as a great opportunity for the people of East Kalimantan itself," he said.

Meanwhile, Chair of the Special Committee for the IKN Bill, Ahmad Doli Kurnia, said that IKN was not made for a period of one or two years, because this is a future plan for the republic that considers social justice for all Indonesian people.

The task of the government through the Authority formed by the President is to convince about this long plan.

"So if in the past two years we haven't done anything, I think it means that the government is unable to convince the public," said Doli Kurnia.