Fajarasia.co – The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, was asked to accompany President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to visit the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago in East Kalimantan. During the day with Jokowi, Puan was invited to see the development of the new nation’s capital city.
Puan and Jokowi flew on a presidential plane from Jakarta to Balikpapan, Wednesday (22/5/2022). The presidential entourage also invited a number of chief editors (Pemred) of the national mass media.
When asked by the Pemred, Puan admitted that she joined IKN Nusantara at the direct request of President Jokowi. The request was made when Jokowi met Puan at the PDI-P (PDIP) National Working Meeting, yesterday.
“Yesterday at the PDI-P National Working Meeting, the President said that the Chairman of the DPR RI could participate in a working visit to IKN with the Pemred to see firsthand the results that had been carried out so far,” said Puan.
Puan also stated that she wanted to see firsthand the development of the new nation’s capital since she last visited IKN Nusantara in February 2022. “I also want to see if there has been any development progress,” she said.
Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia also joined the presidential entourage. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono and the Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya had already come to wait at IKN Nusantara.
Arriving at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan, the group was greeted by East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor, Commander VI/Mulawarman Major General TNI Teguh Pudjo Rumekso, and East Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Pol Imam Sugianto. The group then headed to the IKN location in North Penajam Paser Regency using the land route via the Manggar Toll Road.
During this activity, Puan and Jokowi were always together. Every trip to the observation points, Puan continues to be in the same car with Jokowi.
At the first point, Puan accompanied President Jokowi to inaugurate the Mentawir Nursery Development. At this location, tree seedlings were planted which were used to rehabilitate lands in the IKN area.
“This is the oversight function of the DPR. How is the readiness and progress of the IKN, including the rehabilitation of ex-mining lands, especially in the IKN area and in Kalimantan in general, “said Puan.
While reviewing the Mentawir Nursery, which is located an hour’s drive from the zero point of IKN, Puan was invited to vlog together by a number of national media editors, one of which was Metro TV Chief Editor Arief Suditomo. At the end of the vlog session, Arief asked about the issue of the 2024 presidential election.
“President Jokowi invited the chairman of the DPR to tour IKN alone. Is this a sign or a way for Pak Jokowi to endorse Mba Puan as a presidential candidate?” asked Arif.
Puan smiled at Arief’s question. He only answered briefly.
“Isn’t it there? Isn’t it there?” answered Mrs. meaningfully.
The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia, Bung Karno, continued, what is certain is that his arrival with the President is one form of the function of the council. In this case, said Puan, to supervise the programs being run by the government.
“I was invited by Mr. Jokowi. And of course this is the task of supervising the chairman of the DPR to see the development and progress of the IKN,” he explained.
At the Mentawir Nursery, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives spoke with a group of workers who were loading plant seeds into polybags. One of them is Elizabeth, a female worker from Flores who works at the Mentawir Nursery with her husband.
“I have been living in North Penajam Paser since a few years ago with 2 children as well, ma’am,” said Elizabeth while talking to Puan.
Apparently there were 4 families from Flores who had transmigrated to Penajam Paser Utara, and 10 of them worked at the Mentawir Nursery. To the workers, Puan asked about how much salary they received and the work system.
“Have you been vaccinated against Covid-19? Got a booster? Everyone is healthy,” said Puan.
“I’ve had my mother’s vaccine,” said another Mentawir Nursery worker, Margareth.
After the Mentawir Nursery, Puan then accompanied Jokowi to review the construction of the Sepaku Semoi Dam, which will support raw water needs and flood control in the IKN area. Puan continues to be beside Jokowi who gives explanations to the editors of the media.
“There has been progress compared to my visit to IKN last February. The road has started to tidy up. The President said that a number of important things, such as environmental issues, rehabilitation, and the provision of clean water, have been prepared,” said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
“I see that work on the provision of clean water has already begun. According to the President, construction for roads and a number of other infrastructure in the core area of IKN will begin in July,” continued Puan.
Puan and Jokowi had time to drink young coconut water together after receiving an explanation about the development of the Sepaku Semoi Dam from the Minister of PUPR. After that, the trip continued to review the zero point of IKN Nusantara.
After receiving an explanation of the development progress at point zero, Puan was again invited to vlog by the editor of the mass media. Puan was asked to give her views regarding the development at IKN Nusantara by one of the Chief Editors of Media, Titin Rosmari.
“At the zero point there has also been progress. God willing, this is on the track even though we are in a pandemic. Hopefully the development can go according to expectations, “explained the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
Around the location of the zero point of IKN, Puan and Jokowi and the Pemred entourage had lunch together in a tent. Puan together with Jokowi also chatted casually with the Pemred. Even the Editors of the Mass Media asked for Puan’s signature on the IKN development master plan file that was given to them.
After visiting IKN Nusantara, Puan was asked to accompany Jokowi on a working visit to Samarinda. From Penajam Paser Utara, Puan and Jokowi flew together by helicopter to Samarinda to attend the Inauguration of the Opening of the National Congress and the Deliberative Assembly of the Members of the Catholic Student Association of the Republic of Indonesia ‘Sanctus Thomas Aquinas’ in 2022.*****
