Member of the House of Representatives from East Kalimantan, Hetifah Sjaifudian, in a virtual meeting of Legislation Forum themed “the Critical Juncture of the New Capital City” held at the House Media Center, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/10/2021). Photo: Ist/Man

The new Capital City of Indonesia (IKN) set to be developed in East Kalimantan should not move the problems of Jakarta. Instead, the new capital city should represent smart city and citizens. Member of the Indonesian House from East Kalimantan electoral district, Hetifah Sjaifudian, reminded that the new capital city must ensure equitable development for all. 

“I think that there is so much more than merely transferring the problems of the capital city to a new place. The people of East Kalimantan are, in fact, against the notion of moving the problems of Jakarta, the pollution it creates, and other urban issues, which may have been very difficult to address," said Sjaifudian during the Legislation Forum themed "the Critical Juncture of the Capital City" at the House Media Center, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/10/2021). 

If it were just to relocate the problems, added Hetifah, then the capital city should not be relocated at all. The Golkar Party politician admitted that she supported the capital city relocation plan to East Kalimantan in the hope that equitable development in Indonesia would be realized. In the future, the Java-centric mindset will slowly be replaced with an Indonesian-centric one. 

"As a representative of Golkar Party, I support the relocation of the capital city. Prior to COVID-19 in 2019, an Ad-Hoc Committee for the Relocation of the Capital City was established. Mr. Zainuddin Amali, the then Chairperson of Commission II, became the chairperson of the committee. At the time, most of the committee members endorsed the plan. Two political party factions, however, did not give their opinion on the topic and one refused it altogether. And now we are entering a new phase, almost two years after the pandemic hit," said Sjaifudian. 

Sjaifudian expressed her hope for the capital city relocation plan to be discussed from the beginning. As a planner, Hetifah sees the relocation plan as a great opportunity to make breakthroughs and innovations. "This is an opportunity to develop without creating an even bigger gap. On the contrary, we want to ensure equitable development," said the Vice Chairperson of the House Commission X, the standing committee on education, sports, and history. (mh/sf)