Local villagers and journalists in East Kalimantan are facing challenges related to the Nusantara megaproject. One villager, Mr Subroto, claimed that the construction nearby has caused cracks in his home, and others in the village have had similar experiences. Despite seeking compensation from the highway project’s management, Mr Subroto has not received any. In addition, some local journalists have been left out of the loop on Nusantara-related news, creating frustration and obstacles in their reporting.
Initially, there was excitement surrounding the announcement of the Nusantara project, with hopes of better infrastructure such as hospitals and schools for residents. However, this enthusiasm has waned over time as local journalists like a veteran reporter from Balikpapan have faced difficulties in reporting on the project. Queries to the IKN authorities often go unanswered, and details about events related to Nusantara are not shared with local media. This lack of communication and transparency has created challenges for journalists trying to cover significant events like the upcoming Independence Day celebration at IKN.
The veteran journalist highlighted the historic significance of covering the Independence Day celebration at IKN but expressed frustration at the lack of information provided by the authorities. Despite the importance of the event and the interest from journalists, local reporters have not been given guidance on how to cover it. The perception that information is preferentially given to Jakarta-based journalists rather than local reporters has added to the frustration and has reinforced the view that Nusantara is primarily for the elites.
In response to inquiries about the Independence Day celebration, the head of the presidential secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, stated that his office is coordinating the event. The secretariat is in discussions with the governor of East Kalimantan and the acting head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Minister for Public Works Basuki Hadimuljono, to finalize details about the celebration. This coordination includes compiling data on vehicles that will be allowed to enter IKN on Independence Day. Despite these efforts, the lack of information provided to local journalists continues to be a significant issue, creating barriers to reporting on Nusantara-related events and developments for local media.
