Anies Baswedan Affirms That DKI Jakarta Will Remain The Center Of The Economy Even Though There Will Be IKN

Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of DKI Jakarta Province, Anies Rasyid Baswedan, emphasized that even though the State Capital Region (IKN) has been designated in East Kalimantan, the City of Jakarta is still the center of the economy.

"IKN has become a law. What is clear is that Jakarta will continue to be the center of the economy," said Anies after attending a dialogue at the Claro Hotel Makassar, South Sulawesi, quoted from Antara, Saturday, January 22.

The former Minister of Education and Culture told reporters that although the nation's capital would be moved to Kalimantan, Jakarta would still be the center of many things.

"Jakarta will become the center of cultural activities, and will become the node of the Indonesian nation, that's still the case," stressed the former Chancellor of Paramadina University.

When asked how the condition of Jakarta would be after it was released from IKN status, he again stated that Jakarta would still be built.

"Well, the government moved there, but Jakarta remains, and we will continue to build Jakarta. Problems in Jakarta will continue to be sought so that they can be resolved," he explained.

As governor, Anies continued, in his remaining term of office which will end in October 2022, he will focus on completing all of his work until the end of his term of office.

"So for the next eight months, the focus is on ensuring that all program plans, all activities, can be completed. Currently the focus is 100 percent for Jakarta," said Anies, who is predicted to run as a presidential candidate in 2024.

Previously, President Joko Widodo had announced an area in East Kalimantan Province to be the new state capital after Jakarta, and it had even been ratified by the DPR through the IKN Law.