Business Leaders Request Explanation for Bambang Susantono & Dhony Rahajoe's Resignation from IKN Authority
Monday, 03 June 2024
Vice Chair of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Sanny Iskandar, has called for a government explanation regarding the resignation of Bambang Susantono as Head of the IKN Authority and Dhony Rahajoe as Deputy Head of the IKN Authority.
"In order to prevent the public, especially investors expected to enter IKN, from questioning and losing confidence in the government's initiative to relocate the capital city, an explanation is needed from the government regarding the resignation of Bambang and Dhony," Sanny said when contacted by Kumparan on Monday (3/6).
Sanny stated that Basuki Hadimuljono, as the Acting Head of the IKN Authority, must be able to separate his duties, responsibilities, and authority as the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to avoid conflicts of interest between these two roles.
Similarly, Apindo Chairman Shinta Kamdani asked Basuki and Raja Juli Antoni, as the Acting Deputy Head of the IKN Authority, to address issues concerning the status and ownership/management rights of land in IKN and its surrounding areas.
"The key aspects we hope will be given special attention are the issues of land status and ownership/management rights in IKN and its surrounding areas, certainty regarding the continuation of ongoing projects post-political leadership transition, and certainty regarding relocation and population in IKN," Shinta said.
These three aspects are crucial for business players and investors to make appropriate investment decisions in IKN. Shinta believes that Basuki and Mr. Raja are already aware of these issues, so investment certainty can be significantly improved.
According to Shinta, the appointment of the Minister of PUPR and the Deputy Minister of ATR to lead the IKN Authority directly can facilitate smoother and quicker coordination with the government as the regulator in addressing investment or project development issues faced in IKN.
"However, on the other hand, we are also concerned whether they will have enough time, focus, energy, and other resources needed to lead the IKN Authority effectively and efficiently," Shinta added.
"Especially in managing investor relations while holding positions in both the IKN Authority and the Ministry simultaneously. We hope they can manage the responsibilities of these positions well," she continued.
Shinta said that business players and investors highly respect the leadership transition carried out within the IKN Authority. The decision for Bambang and Dhony to resign is considered their right and judgment regarding the positions entrusted to them.
"We also support the President's decision to appoint Basuki and Raja as interim replacements. After all, IKN is a major development project in the midst of active construction and has quite ambitious development milestones," Shinta explained.
Therefore, the IKN Authority requires clear leadership immediately after the previous leaders effectively stepped down, as IKN is a focal area of development.
With the appointed interim leaders, Shinta hopes that the ongoing IKN development process can continue smoothly, without any delays for the related stakeholders, including investors and business players who are or will be undertaking development projects in IKN.
