Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Investor Forum of “the New Capital City of Nusantara: New History, New Civilization,” at the Ballroom Djakarta Theater, DKI Jakarta Province, October 18, 2022

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 18 Oktober 2022
Category: Remarks @en
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Welcome to the future of Indonesia.

I have conveyed it on many occasions that relocating the country’s capital city to the new Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) is not just relocating ministries buildings, presidential palace, or vice presidential palace to the IKN, not that. What we want to relocate is not merely a physical thing, but what we want to develop is a new work culture, new mindset, and the IKN as a new economic base.

As a great nation, Indonesia must have the courage to take a step and dare to set a big agenda for the sake of nation’s progress. If we do not carry out transformation from now on, we will never be able to become a developed country. For the sake of IKN Nusantara’s development, I have also conveyed this on many occasions, Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, you do not need to hesitate or worry. Because of what? The legal basis is clear, namely Law Number 3 of 2022. The Law was passed by 93 percent of the House of Representatives (DPR) members. If there’s something you’re not sure about, let me know. Or you can also ask Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Mr. Bambang Soesatyo, who is present here.

Yet again, we want to provide an Indonesia-centric equitable development, not a Java-centric one. Since Indonesia is not only the island of Java. Indonesia is composed of 17 thousand islands, 514 regencies and cities, 34 provinces spanning from Sabang to Merauke and from Miangas to Rote island. Nevertheless, currently 58 percent of our economic GDP is concentrated in Java island. Likewise, 56 percent of the population or about 149 million are in and live on Java island. How heavy the island of Java is burdened with such a huge number. That is why I often say, Indonesia needs national-scope economic justice. There are 17 thousand islands, not just one. We need equality and equitable development. This is what we expect from the construction of the IKN.

The IKN is a smart future city based on forest and nature. The first ever in the world. If it is not the first, please let me know. This is what will differentiate our capital city from other countries’ capitals, 70 percent of the area will be green areas. We use production forest as land to build the IKN. Not natural forest. This is a monoculture production forest, meaning that there is only one type of tree. I know very well what the tree is, Eucalyptus tree, used for making pulp which are cut every six to seven years. So, please refrain from saying that the development is harming the forest. It is a production forest that will be cut down every six, seven years. This is what we want to revert. In the future, we want to create a heterogeneous forest with native and endemic tree from Kalimantan, so there will be a tropical rain forest again in Kalimantan.

For that, we have prepared a nursery center which was built last June. The nursery will have approximately 16 hectares of area with 7 hectares of ponds. We hope that it will be completed at the beginning of the year where the annual seedling capacity can produce approximately 15 million seedlings per year.  This is what we will utilize to green Kalimantan, and please remember, Ladies and Gentlemen, since I am from forestry major, I have good memory and am able to explain the nursery in Kalimantan, from a to z, which tree is this and that.

Around 80 percent of energy source there will be sourced from renewable energy. All vehicles there have to be electric vehicle. Then, 80 percent of the transportation here is public transportation with autonomous vehicles, without crews and driver. We value pedestrians and cyclists there. Ten-minute city, the distance to everywhere is within 10 minutes away.

Once again, the construction serves as a showcase of Indonesia’s civilization transformation and we will instill productive work culture in the IKN as a culture. It can be realized through the support of good governance and management, as well as the implementation of qualified technology. Smart living, smart city, community service through apps, be it birth certificates or marriage certificates, it can be applied via your cellphone, paperless. This is what we want to develop.

The IKN is our country’s future and it can be realized with joint effort, not merely by the Government, for the Government only provides 20 percent of the budget. We provide opportunities for investors, including you, Ladies and Gentlemen who are here tonight, to participate in 80 percent of the budget. You are free to choose where to place your investment, be it in core area, financial center, healthcare center, education center, housing area, or tourism area.

I tell you, this is the first and golden opportunity that will not come anymore. This is the time for Indonesia to make history and step a leap forward. This is the time for all of us to be history makers for Indonesia’s future. With our joint efforts and shared spirit of mutual cooperation, I believe on August 17, 2024 we can celebrate that together in the IKN.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(GWH/HD/MUR)

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