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Gibran makes debut visit to IKN, says it’s ‘amazing’
Gibran said he believed that the construction of the IKN was not just about building a luxurious palace.
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Green running: Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka greets supporters on Oct. 25, 2023, after registering his vice presidential candidacy with the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Jakarta. Gibran, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son, is running alongside Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto on the 2024 ticket of the Onward Indonesia Coalition (KIM). (Antara/Rifqi Raihan Firdaus)
V
ice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka made his first visit to the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan and said he was impressed with the megaproject’s progress.
“This is my first time visiting the IKN. This is amazing,” Gibran said while meeting communities in the area on Saturday, as quoted from detiknews.
Read also: Anies wants to ‘perfect’ the IKN project, not reject it
When asked about the travel time to the IKN, Gibran said the trip was not too long. “It’s not far, only one hour from Balikpapan. Later, when the toll road and tunnel are finished or [by taking] helicopter, [the journey will be] only half an hour,” he said.
Gibran said he believed that the construction of the IKN was not just about building a luxurious palace. “The development [to move the capital city] is no longer Java-centric, but Indonesia-centric. I believe that the construction of the IKN is not just about building a luxurious palace, but also a symbol of the development and transformation of Indonesia.” he said.
Read also: Ganjar reaffirms commitment to Nusantara megaproject
Gibran visited the IKN as a part of his campaign visits to Kalimantan as the vice presidential candidate of Prabowo Subianto. He departed from Semayang port in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and boarded a speed boat to the IKN. Upon arriving, Gibran visited several notable landmarks in the future capital city, including Titik Nol Nusantara (ground zero Nusantara) and the Viewing Tower.
During his meeting with the local community, Gibran was also seen wearing the traditional Dayak clothing after he was named an honorary member of the Dayak people by the local community leaders.
