Govt Responds to Petition Rejection of New Capital City Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The development of the new capital city or IKN is continuously protested. The protest's recent addition was initiated by academics in change.org websites. The 13,611 signed petition was initiated by 45 academics and entitled "Mr. President, 2022-2024 isn't the Capital City Relocation Time."

In response to the petition, IKN Communication Chief, Sidik Pramono assured there won't be any objection from the government, considering a lawsuit  has already been filed against IKN bill to the Constitutional Court.

"If communities want to start petitions, file lawsuits to the court, we will respect it and let them be," said Sidik when contacted by Tempo, Tuesday, February 8.

Despite that, he claimed the substance discussion of IKN bill has been statutory viable, including the master plan. "It's statutory viable, including the master plan that stated the development will run gradually until 2045," said Sidik.

Moreover, during the discussion until the bill was approved by the House and awaiting Presidential approval, it has received inputs from various parties and communities.

The petition itself was started on Friday, February 4, by former Muhammadiyah Chairman, Din Syamsuddin; former KPK Deputy, Busyro Muqoddas and former Military General, Deddy Budiman.

As stated in the websites, those initiators invited and urged people to stop the President's plan for the capital city relocation. According to them, the pandemic isn't the right time for relocation.

Read: Riza Patria Says Capital City Relocation May Reduce Traffic Jam, Floods

ARRIJAL RACHMAN | GRAVEN FIKRI (INTERN)