In Front Of Governors Throughout Indonesia, Jokowi Said That Moving The Capital City To Kalimantan Does Not Mean Jakarta Will Be Abandoned

Indonesian President Joko Widodo/Photo: Instagram @jokowi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the government's policy of building the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago, East Kalimantan, should not be interpreted as the government's attitude to leave Jakarta.

"It doesn't mean we want to leave DKI, don't let anyone interpret that," the President said while giving directions to governors throughout Indonesia in Balikpapan, Sunday, March 13, as stated by the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.

According to the President, the relocation of the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago from Jakarta was carried out for economic equality so that economic growth was not concentrated in Java, especially in Jakarta.

"Because our country is very large with 17 thousand islands, 58 percent of the economic gross domestic product (GDP) is in Java, currently the magnet is in DKI Jakarta. 56 percent of the population is in Java, so there is economic inequality, infrastructure inequality," he said.

The National Capital City (IKN) of the Archipelago, the President continued, will become a city with international standards that has various facilities with international standards as well.

"We want to have an international city, international hospital, international university, previously it was not allowed, because of the omnibus law now it is allowed, the governors, if you want to attract investment from outside, please," he said.

The President conveyed that the current global situation needs to be addressed by the Governors, including the energy crisis, the food crisis, and the war situation.

"The world is in a difficult situation, either because of the chronic disruption caused by the industrial revolution 4.0 plus chaos due to the pandemic, plus matters called war," said the President.

Currently, according to the President, due to the uncertain global situation, there is an energy crisis and a food crisis that could have an impact on the Indonesian state.

"World oil prices have doubled, not to mention gas, not to mention food shortages, which will cause prices to soar," said the President.

Therefore, the President asked the governors to adjust the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) to the current situation.

"In the budgeting in the APBD, you change everything, not like in the normal time, don't do business as usual. The APBD must be adjusted, the key is only one speed for us to adjust," explained Jokowi.