VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate. ANTARA/HO/Kominfo/FR -

The government adopts three approaches to ensure that development of the national capital (IKN) Nusantara can create access equality for all, Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate stated.

These three approaches comprise IKN Nusantara's development as a Forest City, Sponge City, and Smart City, Plate noted through his written statement on Saturday.

"For Smart City, IKN Nusantara will maximize the opportunity in the digital space and conduct various smart initiatives in various fields," the minister explained.

"For instance, in access and mobility, environment, security and safety, public and government sector, urban system, and liveability as well as dynamics," he explained.

According to Plate, IKN Nusantara will not solely be a symbol of the nation's identity or symbol realized through the development of physical spaces but also demonstrate Indonesia's vision in supporting sustainable development that aligns with digital transformation.

IKN Nusantara is promised to become a breath of fresh air for the people and serve as a concrete example that development in the Western and Eastern parts of Indonesia can be equal.

"Nusantara capital also represents the idea of inclusive advancement, Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), with the development vision as a new smart metropolis or smart city that integrates information and communication technological aspects," he remarked.

Nusantara also becomes an innovation center that consolidates growth and advances Indonesia.

The existence of Nusantara is also expected to become a solution to address challenges that Indonesia currently faces, including the challenge of equalizing the economy.

The government's data concerning Indonesia's economic structure spatially is dominated by Indonesia's western region, specifically in Java Island, the minister noted.

The island contributes 57.8 percent to the total gross domestic product (GDP) followed by Sumatra Island, with 21.7 percent.

Meanwhile, for eastern regions, Maluku and Papua, it was recorded that they only contributed 2.49 percent.

"This shows that Java Island still largely dominates Indonesia's economic structure," he noted.

He realized that the government's efforts to address the economical gap became a major work for Indonesia.

To this end, the development of IKN became a huge breakthrough and a realization of the central government's concrete decision in realizing more equitable national growth and development//ANT