The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) appreciates the support of the East Kalimantan people for the development of the state capital (IKN) Nusantara, expert staff Wandy Tuturoong remarked here on Wednesday.

He said the government has received widespread support from various community groups in Penajam Paser Utara district, Kutai Kertanegara district, and other regions of East Kalimantan.

“The recent support and aspirations of East Kalimantan people for IKN construction show a consistent and visible trend amid a dialogue between the government and the locals before the IKN Law approval,” he explained.

The support of East Kalimantan communities for the development of the new capital was evident during a dialogue organized by the government in Penajam Paser Utara and Samarinda in 2021, Tuturoong claimed.

At that time, he said, there was a lot of criticism from representatives of indigenous peoples and college student groups.

“But generally, they welcomed the capital transfer. Hence, we are sure that this capital relocation decision is right,” he affirmed.

Furthermore, he revealed some aspirations conveyed by East Kalimantan residents and students, such as the importance of preserving natural resources and ensuring the welfare of the surrounding communities so that no one is left out of development efforts.

He informed that his team will monitor these aspirations so they can be included in the master plan and regulations taken up by the State Capital Authority.

In addition, based on strategic environmental studies on the state capital master plan designed by the National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) in 2020, environmental and socio-cultural management was recommended to be paid attention to, he said.

Though some community groups’ rejected the capital transfer, the executive board of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has voiced its support for the plan and has even readied its office transfer to East Kalimantan, he added.

According to KSP, the IKN development plan has received a positive response from various communities in East Kalimantan, such as the East Kalimantan Dayak Alliance (PDKT), the Pasak Mulawarman Bersatu Kalimantan Indigenous Tribal Alliance, and others.

Source: Antara News