Jokowi breaks ground for Telkom office in IKN, supports smart city

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), on Friday, launched the construction of the office of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom Group in the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara to support the realization of a smart city.

"I believe that the operation of Telkom here will make it easier for us to actualize the concept of Nusantara as a smart city, facilitating us to run an e-government system," he remarked during the groundbreaking of the Telkom Smart Office in IKN, East Kalimantan Province.

He emphasized that the commencement of development of the smart office would bring Indonesia one step closer to creating even stronger digital connectivity and platforms in its future capital city.

The head of state further stated that Telkom is expected to help the government actualize its vision of making Nusantara a city powered by world-class information and communication technology to better serve the people.

With Telkom working on digital connectivity, Jokowi believes it will be more convenient for Indonesia to implement an electronic-based government system. In his speech, the president also addressed the event's attendees who were on their first trip to Nusantara, asking them whether the city was far for them.

"Does the city seem far to you? What do you think? It is far? Well, yes, it is far," he stated.

He then explained that the government had taken into account various aspects before designating East Kalimantan as the host for the new capital city, adding that IKN feels remote due to the still ongoing construction of connecting infrastructure and facilities.

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Jokowi underlined that the toll road connecting IKN with Balikpapan City, expected to start operating in June or July, will cut the travel time between the two cities, from two hours to only 45 minutes.

He also drew attention to a VVIP airport being developed in Nusantara, saying that the government is targeting to complete the development in June or July this year. The airport is located 15 minutes from the IKN Government Core Area. Closing his remarks, Jokowi commended the launch of the development of the Telkom Smart Office in IKN.

"I would like to once again praise the commencement of development of this office. In the name of God, I hereby break ground for the development of the Telkom Smart Office," he concluded.