Looking Again At The Authority And Power Of Bambang Susantono, Jokowi's Choice Head Of The IKN Authority

The duet of Bambang Susantono and Dhony Rahajoe during a meeting with President Jokowi (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - The puzzle of who is the Head of the National Capital Authority (IKN) of the Archipelago has been answered. The name Bambang Susantono was chosen by President Jokowi to become the Head of the IKN Authority.

Bambang is not alone. He will be assisted by Dhony Rahajoe who was chosen to be the Deputy Head of the National Capital Authority (IKN) Nusantara.

The Bambang Susantono-Dhony Rahajoe duet who was appointed to realize the dream of moving the capital city is considered by Jokowi as the best choice and combination. Bambang Susantono graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology and is an expert on urban planning. He also took master's and doctoral degrees and briefly served as Deputy Minister of Transportation in the United Indonesia Cabinet II for the 2010-2014 period.

Profile Bambang Susantono who was born in November 1963 is a talented person for infrastructure and transportation planning. Bambang also served as Deputy to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy for the Coordination of Infrastructure and Regional Development in 2007-2010. His last position was Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Jokowi is confident that the Bambang-Dhony duo will be able to work together with ministers in terms of planning, implementing development in the field and investing. Moreover, later they will be assisted by relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of PUPR and Bappenas.

"I want the two of them to work quickly, especially with regard to institutions. I think this will be resolved," said President Jokowi, Thursday, March 10 yesterday.

Duties and authorities of Bambang Susantono

What are the duties and authorities of Bambang Susantono who is now the Head of the IKN Authority? Everything can be seen clearly in the IKN Law.

Article 1 “The Nusantara IKN Authority is led by the Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority and assisted by a Deputy Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority who is appointed, appointed, and dismissed directly by the President after consulting with the DPR”

Based on Paragraph (1) Article 10 of the IKN Law:

"The Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority and the Deputy Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority as referred to in Article 9 hold positions for 5 (five) years from the date of inauguration and thereafter may be appointed and reappointed within the same term of office."

As long as there are no laws and regulations which are derivatives of the IKN Law which regulates the limitation of the term of office of the Head of Authority, then people who are trusted by the President will be able to serve continuously.

The duet of Bambang Susantono and Dhony Rahajoe during a meeting with President Jokowi (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

Can Serve Forever

Based on Paragraph (1) Article 10 of the IKN Law:

"The Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority and the Deputy Head of the Nusantara IKN Authority as referred to in Article 9 hold positions for 5 (five) years from the date of inauguration and thereafter may be appointed and reappointed within the same term of office."

As long as there are no laws and regulations which are derivatives of the IKN Law which regulates the limitation of the term of office of the Head of Authority, then people who are trusted by the President will be able to serve continuously.

Managing the IDR 500 Trillion Development Fund

The financing scheme for the relocation of the national capital is regulated in the IKN Law. However, the IKN Nusantara development project requires no small amount of money.

As stated by President Joko Widodo, relocating the capital city will at least cost up to IDR 501 trillion.

"The first is the construction of Indonesia's new capital city. To build a new capital city, at least US$35 billion (around Rp. 501 trillion) is needed," said Jokowi while attending the Indonesia–PEA (Union of Arab Emirates) Investment Forum which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thursday, November 4.

This is stated in Article 23 of the IKN Law:

Paragraph (1): "In the context of preparation, development, and relocation of the State Capital, as well as the implementation of the Special Regional Government for IKN Nusantara, the President's power as the manager of state finances is delegated to the Head of the Archipelago IKN Authority"

Paragraph (2): “The Head of the Archipelago IKN Authority as referred to in paragraph (1) is domiciled as a budget user/user of goods for IKN Nusantara”

The duet of Bambang Susantono and Dhony Rahajoe during a meeting with President Jokowi (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

Priority in terms of buying land

Based on Article 17 of the IKN Law:

"The IKN Nusantara Authority has the right to be prioritized in purchasing land at IKN Nusantara."

Dropping Some Legislation

In order to facilitate the task of the Head of Authority and development to run well and to apply the IKN Law, all laws or regional regulations that are contrary to the interests of development are no longer valid.

This is stated in Article 27 of the IKN Law:

Letter a:

"All provisions of laws and regulations that are contrary to the provisions specifically regulated in this Law"

Letter b:

"The laws and regulations governing regional government are declared null and void in terms of preparation, development, and relocation of the State Capital, as well as the implementation of IKN Special Regional Governments"