Meeting With Jokowi, Indigenous Leaders Of Kalimantan Ask For Prioritizing Human Resources Development, Not Only Infrastructure

Indonesian President Joko Widodo talks with traditional and religious leaders of Kalimantan regarding the construction of the capital city of the archipelago, in East Kalimantan, Monday (14/3/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - The traditional leaders of Kalimantan expressed their hopes regarding the development of local human resources (HR) to President Joko Widodo in North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province.

When meeting with Jokowi in North Penajam Paser Regency, the traditional leaders expressed their hope that the development of the capital city of the Archipelago would not only be about infrastructure, but also human resource development.

"In the process of transferring IKN, we hope that not only the construction of infrastructure and facilities will be carried out; but we hope that the first priority is the development of human resources," said Chairman of the Dayak Customary Council of North Penajam Paser Regency, Helena, quoted by Antara, Monday, March 14.

Helena said the transfer of IKN became an important momentum for human resource development in Kalimantan. Therefore, he hopes that the Government can prioritize the development of educational institutions and training centers in the area.

"We ask to immediately build a training center, as well as immediately build a university in North Penajam Paser Regency," he added.

In line with Helena, the traditional leader of Banjar Ashari also expressed his hope that the education of the local community would be better.

With the development of educational institutions in Kalimantan, he believes that the educational progress of the nation's children will increase, especially for the local community.

"So we imagine that in the future we local tribes who are here, be it Banjar, Paser, Dayak, will become equal with the younger generations, especially on the island of Java," he explained.

Ashari welcomes the Government's efforts to involve local communities to contribute to the development of IKN, which can reduce conflicts of interest between the capital city and the surrounding environment.

"He will convey to the Chair or Head of the IKN Authority that the local community must be involved, so that later there will be no conflict of interest and there should not be a development gap between the capital city and what is around the capital city," he said.

During the meeting, the President was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. IKN development has received support from many parties, including traditional leaders, religious leaders, and community leaders on the island of Kalimantan.