Minimising Conflict Escalation in Ibu Kota Nusantara Development: Weaving Peace through Dialogic Communication

The escalating conflict surrounding the development of Indonesia’s new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), in North Penajam Paser Regency (PPU), East Kalimantan, has intensified social tensions between indigenous communities and the state. Land and livelihood struggles have rendered the development process precarious, with Paser Balik communities reporting marginalisation and displacement. Drawing on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and observations with key informants recruited through snowball sampling, this study examines communication dynamics in the IKN core development area (Kawasan Inti Pusat Pemerintahan, KIPP) and its surrounding buffer zones (kawasan penyangga). FGDs with directly affected Paser Balik communities in Sepaku and Pemaluan, as well as Paser communities in Bumi Harapan, were conducted to deepen understanding of these tensions and the pathways through which they escalate. The findings reveal major communication challenges among stakeholders involved in the core area and buffer zones, including unequal participation, information overload, and limited deliberative space for indigenous aspirations. To mitigate conflict escalation, the study proposes dialogic communication that emphasises three elements: activating indigenous community networks based on articulated needs; reducing information overload through an equitable dialogical process; and fostering collaboration among influential actors through a consensual forum.