TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Development Planning (PPN) Minister/National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Chief Suharso Monoarfa hoped the establishment of the country’s new capital city (IKN) could balance the economy among regions.

“Hopefully, when we begin to start [the establishment of IKN], we can balance the economy among regions, because IKN should be viewed as more than just a capital city relocation, but rather a gold bond to boost regional growth,” Suharso said in a virtual discussion on Monday, October 4, 2021.

He said the government had sent a presidential letter (Surpres) to House leaders on the IKN Bill, which encompassed 34 articles and nine chapters containing the vision of IKN, organization, land use, and financing.

He added the IKN development was also part of the government’s efforts to bolster the country’s productivity.

Earlier, Suharso said the physical construction of IKN would hinge on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and that it was temporarily idle as the government was focusing the 2020 and 2021 budgets on battling the pandemic.

He also explained the construction of the new capital city would be carried out in stages in a span of 15-20 years.

“So, these are the steps we are preparing and we also have a master plan until 2045,” he said on September 4.

Read: Govt Allocates Rp275 Billion for Road Infrastructure in New Capital City

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO