Expert: State Capital Visionary National Political Decisions

Geodesy control point or zero point of IKN Nusantara development in North Panajam Pares Regency, East Kalimantan. ANTARA/Muhammad Fauzi Fadilah

JAKARTA - Urban and Regional Sociologist, Professor Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri, said the relocation of the State Capital (IKN) from Jakarta to Penajam Paser Utara in East Kalimantan was a very visionary and strategic political decision.

"The transfer of IKN is a very visionary and strategic political decision of the state. Sociologically, this policy means shifting the focus of development from Java-centric to Nusantara-centric", said Gumilar in a written statement, quoted by Antara on Tuesday, February 15.

Gumilar said that currently the island of Java already has 156 million people with limited space carrying capacity. So, with the IKN Nusantara, it is hoped that the distribution of the population will be created productively.

"Kaltim has a population of five million people, even though the area is the same as the island of Java plus Madura and Bali. With the relocation of IKN, it is hoped that population distribution will occur naturally", said the sociologist at the University of Indonesia.

According to Gumilar, the plan to relocate IKN has often been discussed since 1960 until the reform era. However, this has only been followed up by the current law (UU).

"The process of making the IKN Law has been running according to the applicable procedures. It has even gone through discussions and input from academics, as well as debates in the Indonesian House of Representatives", he said.

Gumilar revealed that IKN Nusantara will later become a national pilot city because it is the first forest city in the world. The city will also implement a modern mass transportation system that is environmentally friendly and uses renewable energy massively.

"Development with advanced technology systems can solve problems of water shortage, geological lability, the guarantee of security, beauty, and comfort", said Gumilar.