Sandiaga Uno Committed To Support The Sustainability Of The Archipelago IKN Development

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno is committed to supporting the continuation of the development of the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago in East Kalimantan (Kaltim).

"Bang Sandi Uno obeys the constitution. The development of the State Capital has become the mandate of the law. Until now, he continues to work hard to help the IKN project according to his capacity as Menparekraf," said Sandiaga Uno spokesman for Political Affairs Denny H. Suryo Prabowo in a written statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Saturday, July 22.

This was conveyed by Denny in response to the difference between the two presidential candidates (candidates), namely Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan.

Ganjar said that the IKN project should be continued considering that the construction of the new state capital has been regulated in law. The same thing was conveyed by Prabowo Subianto, who is also a presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan stated that the continuation of the IKN project must be reviewed carefully, including considering the project with views on science, data, and facts on the ground. If it turns out that after being reviewed the results are good, according to Anies, then it could be continued, on the other hand, if the results are not good, then the IKN project is said to not need to be continued.

The IKN development is contained in Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the State Capital. This regulation firmly regulates all stages of the development process and the relocation of the capital city of the archipelago, which takes no time. At least, there are five stages of IKN development until 2045.

"What is certain is that Bang Sandi Uno is always optimistic about the development of the Nusantara IKN, he believes that the transfer of the State Capital to East Kalimantan will not have a substantial and fundamental effect on the economy in Jakarta," said Denny.

Denny expressed optimism that Sandiaga was also supported by a number of data. Sandiaga has exemplified several countries that have moved to the nation's capital but have no significant effect on their economy, such as the United States which moved its government center from New York to Washington DC.

In addition, there is also Australia, which has a total of thousands of countries in Canberra, but economic activity in some areas remains high. Denny said that the transfer of the capital city of Indonesia from DKI Jakarta to East Kalimantan had been through a long thorough study.

"The movement of the nation's capital city has been the discourse since the era of President Soekarno. In every era of the president, the idea has always emerged. So if it is said that it needs to be studied again when the development is running, it feels like going back," he said.

Denny said, Sandiaga is optimistic about the Nusantara IKN, not because this project is the mainstay of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). However, because IKN Nusantara in East Kalimantan has the potential for the development of natural and sustainable tourism in accordance with its concept as a jungle city. In IKN, world-class facilities will also be built, including health care facilities.

"As an expert in the business world, Bang Sandi Uno understands IKN Nusantara very well in addition to supporting it to become the center of government, but also has the potential in terms of the economy," said Denny.

Evidently, many world leaders are willing to help develop IKN Nusantara. One of them is the former British Prime Minister (PM) Tony Blair who stated that he is ready to promote IKN Nusantara to the international arena to attract investment into the capital city of Indonesia's new country.

Tony Blair, who is willing to become the IKN Development Steering Committee, has even prepared infrastructure-related programs at IKN, such as plans for a train project from ports and airports to IKN. The Capital Archipelago Authority (OIKN) also noted that at least 17 countries have been interested in investing in IKN, including from Dubai investors, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sandiaga Uno himself is ready to bring 10 large investors to IKN Nusantara which will be offered investment opportunities in the tourism sector. Such as a glamping approach and a conservation-based tourism approach.

Not only that, Sandiaga is also working to collaborate with developers to build a creative hub at IKN. Sandiaga's efforts and hard work prove that the former Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta is committed to the development of the IKN Nusantara development.

The Secretary General of Sandi Uno Indonesia's House (RSI) assesses that whoever is the leader of Indonesia in the future must continue the IKN project.

"There have been many smears, businesses, and large budgets that have been disbursed for the realization of the new nation's capital. If it is not continued, this is tantamount to betraying the people," he said.

According to Denny, Sandiaga agreed with Ganjar Pranowo who said moving the capital city to IKN Nusantara was not just moving buildings and changing names, but was closely related to the mindset in building a high-tech future city.

"We want development in this country to be evenly distributed for the sake of justice and welfare of all Indonesian people. So Bang Sandi Uno thinks that the pessimistic attitude towards IKN development is a form of setback that is not in favor of the progress of the nation," he concluded.

Previously, Sandiaga Uno stated that he was the party that saw the IKN Nusantara project as a form of sustainable development in Indonesia. Because IKN Nusantara was built to become the center of gravity for Indonesia's future economic growth, namely a green and sustainable economy.

Because the concept of IKN is the green capital city of the country, Sandiaga said, IKN must have eco tourism based so that it is sustainable for the environment.

"IKN Nusantara is not only a symbol of equitable development, but also a sustainable economic center," Sandiaga said in a tweet on Thursday, January 26, 2023.