Deddy Sitorus: Parliament can only office in IKN if partners are also there

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of DPR RI Commission II, Deddy Sitorus, stated that the DPR can only office in the Nusantara Capital (IKN) if its executive branch partners, in this case the relevant ministries and agencies, also office there.

Deddy said this when contacted by reporters from Jakarta on Friday, responding to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s invitation for DPR members to jointly office in the new political capital.

“If the DPR must office there, why not? The issue is that the DPR works collectively in commissions and AKD (council apparatus) along with its executive partners. The DPR can only perform its functions there if its partners are also present,” he said.

He gave an example that if Commission II offices in IKN, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, KPU, Bawaslu, and Ministry of State Apparatus Utilisation and Bureaucratic Reform must also office there.

“If not, what is there to do?” Deddy said.

He stated that so far, infrastructure for the legislative and judicial branches in IKN is not yet complete, but executive office buildings are finished. Therefore, he suggested that Vice President Gibran first invite the relevant ministries and agencies.

“Going there is for work, not for seclusion,” he said.

He also emphasised that his suggestion is serious. “The executive buildings that have been constructed must be utilised so as not to fall into the category of waste,” he added.

Previously, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka appreciated input from DPR members to office in IKN. He also invited executive, judicial, and legislative elements to office there.

“Thank you for the input from the Honourable Council Member Mr Deddy Sitorus. Later, we will all office in IKN together,” said Vice President Gibran in an official written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4).

“Because IKN has been designated as the political capital in 2028. Thus, state administration from the executive, judicial, and legislative sides must be fulfilled,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Head of the IKN Authority (OIKN) Basuki Hadimuljono on Monday (30/3), DPR RI Commission II Member Deddy Sitorus mentioned the discourse of Vice President Gibran to office in IKN.

That statement was made by Deddy while emphasising the importance of utilising the buildings that have been constructed in IKN. He asked OIKN Head Basuki to discuss this with President Prabowo Subianto.

“I’ve been asking for that for a long time. Vice President, Minister of Forestry, Minister of Villages, Minister of Transmigration, go there, stay there. State money is valuable,” he said.

Meanwhile, OIKN Head Basuki Hadimuljono stated that Vice President Gibran can office in IKN starting this year because the buildings and supporting facilities are complete.

“This year it’s possible because the buildings are ready, yes, the temporary furniture is also ready,” Basuki said when met after the meeting.