REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NORTH PASER PENAJAM -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave directions to hundreds of regional heads and welcomed them to the Capital of Nusantara (IKN), Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (13/8/2024). During RI 1's briefing to regional heads in the official activity room of Istana Negara IKN, Jokowi asked the audience about the shadow regarding IKN.
“Looking at this capital of the archipelago, what is your father's shadow? Welcome to the capital of the archipelago,” Jokowi said during opening remarks and directions.
Jokowi stressed that through the development of the IKN, the government wants to show that Indonesia has the ability to build the nation's capital according to the wishes and design of the government, although it takes a considerable time. Since the start of 2021, the construction of the new IKN will be completed in about 10 to 15 years.
Minister of Interior (Mendagri) M Tito Karnavian on an earlier occasion said that as many as 517 regional heads attended President Jokowi's briefing event at the IKN State Palace. “We can report to Mr. President that the current number of regional heads, governors are 38, mayors are 98, and regents are 416. A total of 552 people. Present right now are 517 governors, mayors, regents, both acting and definitive ones,” Tito said.
According to Tito, there were 35 regional chiefs who were prevented from attending due to illness, had to attend a full session of Parliament, not to share a plane ticket. “All governors have arrived since last night staying at the Nusantara Hotel. The regents and the mayor all stayed overnight in Balikpapan and it was six o'clock (left) from Balikpapan,” Tito said.