Sentil Ernest Prakasa Who Calls The Name 'Nusantara' Odd, Abu Janda: This Is The Result Of Being Lazy To Read History, So You Don't Know

An overview of the Garuda Penajam Palace, the new palace at IKN. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The opinion of director Ernest Prakasa that 'Nusantara' is inappropriate for the name of the new capital city in Indonesia has been refuted by social media activist Permadi Arya alias Abu Janda. According to him, Ernest lacks historical literacy so that he is misguided.

"Celebrity @ernestprakasa sings the name of the new capital.. he says it's odd if 'Nusantara' is used as the name of the nation's capital... this is due to Ernest Prakasa's lack of historical literacy (aka lazy to read). So I don't know that the word Nusantara is very closely related to the history of East Kalimantan," said Abu Janda through his personal Instagram reels, @permadiaktivis2, which was reported on Friday, January 21.

The name Nusantara for the new capital city was previously conveyed by the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Suharso Monoarfa. According to Ernest, Nusantara means the overall coverage of all regions in Indonesia, so it is not appropriate as a name for the new capital city.

"Since the first, the meaning of 'Nusantara' is the whole of Indonesia. If you use the name of the capital city, it's a bit odd for me. Isn't that right?" wrote Ernest on Twitter @ernestprakasa.

Unlike Ernest, Abu Janda mentions that the name Nusantara is closely related to East Kalimantan, as stated by historian from Samarinda, Muhamad Sarip.

"The Kutai kingdom, which is located in East Kalimantan, was previously known as the Kutai kingdom, it was called Nusantara, even the people who lived in the Kutai kingdom used to be called Nusantara people,"

"So the word Nusantara is very closely related to the history of East Kalimantan. Ernest Prakarsa is a lesson for all of us not to lack literacy. Make it a habit to be diligent in reading first before speaking so as not to look stupid," said Abu Janda.