Softbank Withdraws From The IKN Project, Bambang Susantono: No Need To Worry, This Is Normal

President Jokowi and governors throughout Indonesia at IKN/Photo: Setkab

JAKARTA - Head of the National Capital Authority (IKN) Nusantara Bambang Susantono asked the public not to worry even though Softbank resigned as a potential investor. He said this kind of thing actually happens in the development world.

"Hopefully the public does not worry about one withdrawal. Because this is a process, a collaboration with the private sector which is actually common in the development world like this," said Bambang as quoted on Saturday, March 19.

Bambang said that usually talks about projects with potential investors are often carried out. However, at the end of the conversation, there was a different agreement.

"Then in the middle of the road meet or not meet, deal or no deal. Or (there is, red) a different deal," he said.

Even though Softbank has resigned, Bambang is sure that in the future there will be many potential investors queuing up to participate in building the IKN project. However, he realized that the presence of these investors must be followed by good governance.

"I am still optimistic with both Pak Dhony, that actually if we carry out a good structuring of this IKN, investors will certainly come," said Bambang.

"And there are various kinds of partners. Some are big, some are medium, or investors are only in one sector, one particular type, for example education, commercial," he added.

As previously reported, Softbank confirmed that the company would not invest in the IKN project, East Kalimantan. The decision was delivered on Friday, March 11, 2022.

In fact, the company initially planned to invest 100 billion US dollars. This news was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhur Binsar Pandjaitan in 2020.