PDIP Admits Megawati Opened Dialogue About The Name Of The Head Of The IKN Authority, Including Ahok?

PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said the general chairman of his party, Megawati Soekarnoputri, had opened a dialogue regarding the name of the Head of the State Capital Authority (IKN). This was done because PDIP had high hopes regarding the relocation of the country's capital city.

"Everything is in the dialogue between Mr. President Jokowi and Mrs. Megawati, but from the perspective of the criteria, the PDI-P has conveyed it because the party has had high hopes since the time of Bung Karno regarding the capital city of the country, which is on the island of Kalimantan," Hasto told reporters at the PDIP DPP Office, Diponegoro Street, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday, January 27.

Hasto said there were a number of names nominated by PDIP. One of them is their cadre, Basuki Tjahja Purnama or Ahok.

According to Hasto, Ahok had been a capable leader when he served as Deputy Governor and Governor of DKI Jakarta. Thus, his name became one of the ones proposed by PDIP to become a candidate for the Head of the IKN Authority.

Moreover, the candidate for the Head of the IKN Authority is visionary, comprehensive, and understands urban planning and planning that combines the image of a smart city.

"PDIP has names of candidates who meet the requirements for it (serving as Head of the IKN Authority, ed) including Mr. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. He also has quite good leadership, while being Deputy Governor and Governor in Jakarta," he said.

Even so, Hasto fully handed over the candidate for the Head of the IKN Authority. He said the decision was entirely in the hands of President Jokowi.

"We leave that entirely to the President. It's just that when the parrai is asked for, we have names that meet the requirements set by the President," he said.

As for the names of Tri Rismaharini and Azwar Anas, Hasto said, they are currently focused on carrying out their positions. Risma, who is a former mayor of Surabaya, now serves as Minister of Social Affairs, while Azwar Anas, who was formerly the Regent of Banyuwangi, now sits as Head of the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP).

As previously reported, the government has just passed the Law on the State Capital which is the basis for moving the capital to Kalimantan. The transfer is targeted to start in 2024.

Later, the agreed capital city named Nusantara will be led by the Head of the Authority who is directly elected by President Jokowi.