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Govt admits land clearing remains hurdle in Nusantara project
The government has vowed to compenate affected people fairly as unresolved issues related to land clearing, including relocating local inhabitants, continue to bog down progress in the IKN project as the clock ticks down to several milestones before Independence Day.
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A cleared forest area marks a 7.3-kilometer toll road project underway near the new capital city of Nusantara in East Kalimantan, as seen in this undated handout photo from state-owned construction company PT Wijaya Karya, the project’s developer. (Antara/PT Wijaya Karya)
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he government has admitted that land clearing still posed an obstacle for the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) development project, even though it has less than two months until the planned relocation of civil servants from Jakarta to the new capital in East Kalimantan.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Wednesday that the hurdle was unavoidable, but he also made assurances that the central and regional administrations would coordinate to resolve the issue, Kontan.co.id reported.
If a need to move local communities should arise, Luhut promised that the affected residents would receive fair compensation, including decent housing to replace their former homes.
"If compensation must be given, its value must be fair and in accordance with the agreement between the communities and the government," he said.
“No one should be hurt by the construction of the IKN. If necessary, [the affected people] must be compensated with tangible benefits.”
The senior minister emphasized that the government would resolve the land clearing issue through constructive dialogue involving the affected communities, and that it would also approach each case individually in line with the distinct values of the local culture.
Read also: IKN Authority tells 200 residents to leave designated Nusantara areas
