VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan claimed that the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara development has attracted foreign investors, including those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"I have met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who shared his commitment to investing. In addition, the United Arab Emirates through the Indonesian Investment Fund is also preparing an investment of 20 billion US dollars," Pandjaitan said in a statement, here on Sunday.

He made the statement at the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) which was held in Balikpapan on Saturday (May 21).

The minister denied rumors that the government had minimal funding for developing Nusantara.

The new capital city, he emphasized, would be developed as a modern city. "IKN will be a world-class city for all."

The relocation of government's offices from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara in North Penajam Paser District and Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan, is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

Pandjaitan said the capital city relocation has encouraged development of industries in Kalimantan, including the development of a new energy industry in North Kalimantan.

"Investments previously centered in Java and Sumatra have now spread to other regions, including Kalimantan. This is where youth, including GAMKI, must play their role, because there are so many job opportunities," he said.

Meanwhile, GAMKI Chairman Willem Wandik underlined his organization's support for Joko Widodo's administration as it has the same mission and goals.

He applauded the fundamental changes in the concept and implementation of development in Indonesia with the enactment of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the State Capital named Nusantara.

"A new era of development in Indonesia has begun. Hopefully, there will be no more news about muddy roads in remote areas. Hopefully, there will be no more stories about the miserable lives of Indonesians who are not covered by development," he said. (Antaranews)