Heaptalk, Jakarta — West Kutai Regent FX Yapan expressed his gratitude to President Joko Widodo for taking the time to visit the regency to witness the Dahau Festival in celebration of the regency’s 24th anniversary.
According to FX Yapan, Jokowi’s presence is a motivation for West Kutai to innovate to create a better future. This regency was originally an expansion area of Kutai Kartanegara Regency based on Law No. 47 of 1999. Currently, West Kutai has an area of 20,385 square km with 16 districts, 190 villages, 4 urban villages, and a total population of 172,288 people. The regency also has great potential in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries, plantations, and tourism sectors including natural and cultural tourism.
On the occasion, FX Yapan said that as one of the buffer areas of IKN which is a two-hour drive via toll road, the West Kutai Regency Government delivers full support to the development of IKN in East Kalimantan Province. He voiced, “We really support the development of IKN as we will get the development impact that we have been waiting for, especially infrastructure.”
Regent FX Yapan further asked President Jokowi to immediately complete stalled infrastructure projects in the regency, one of which is the Aji Tullur Jejangkat Bridge in Melak Ilir Village, Melak District. Construction of the bridge has been stalled since 2015.
“This is necessary to shorten the distance and travel time to East Kutai, Bontang, Samarinda, and Tenggarong. This is what we expect from West Kutai to Kutai Kartanegara with a difference of 70 km shorter than the existing road,” explained FX Yapan.
In addition, FX Yapan also hoped the Acting Governor of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik can stay in West Kutai until November 5 to be the ceremony inspector at the peak of the 24th West Kutai Anniversary celebration.
Closing his remarks, FX Yapan expressed his gratitude to President Jokowi, TNI Commander, Chief of Police, Ministers, and Acting Governor of East Kalimantan who took the time to visit West Kutai. He also expressed his gratitude to the East Kalimantan Police Chief, West Kutai Police Chief, TNI, and all the people of West Kutai who had helped smooth and secure President Jokowi’s arrival in the regency. (Translated by Sinta)
