Dian Rana

Dian Rana is a content creator and documentarian from East Kalimantan, now widely recognized as a living witness to the development of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN). Born in Bandung on February 2, 1988, and having previously worked in Balikpapan, Dian decided to settle in Wonosari Village, Sepaku, not far from the IKN development area.

It all began in 2021, when she started with just a camera and the determination to capture the city’s development in her region. However, a pivotal moment came in January 2022: by chance, Dian discovered the IKN Zero Point while lost in the forest. From that moment, her drive to witness history grew stronger—not merely as an observer, but as an active part of the change itself.

Career and Journey

From simple YouTube field documentation videos, Dian Rana’s career has grown into a symbol of citizen participation in the national development narrative. She actively produces authentic content, using simple, educational language while adhering to proper Indonesian linguistic standards.

Dian now manages interconnected websites and main channels:

🌐 Website: Dianrana ID — a hub for information, articles, and digital portfolio.
🌐 Website: Dianrana News — a news channel and archive of official articles from Dianrana ID.
📺 YouTube Dian Rana — the main channel featuring visual documentation of IKN development from the field.
🗣️ YouTube Dianrana ID — a secondary channel offering reviews of events and political issues from a citizen’s perspective, with a reflective approach that encourages public discussion.

Within these channels, there is also the Suara Dianrana Playlist, a special video playlist discussing key Indonesian issues from a personal, reflective, and critical viewpoint—recorded at home, unscripted, and full of heartfelt commentary. This format allows Dian to delve deeper into values, hopes, and concerns that may not always appear in field documentation.

Some of her notable achievements include:

  • Invited to the State Palace for the IKN Logo launch (May 30, 2023).

  • Attended the Independence Day ceremony at the IKN project site (August 17, 2023).

  • Accompanied President Jokowi on a working visit to IKN (September 22, 2023).

  • Exclusive interview with Prof. Bambang Susantono (August 1, 2025), discussing IKN from a citizen’s perspective.

  • Represented content creators at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok, February 2024.

  • Introduced her child to President Jokowi in a touching moment in June 2024.

Amid this journey, Dian resigned from her job in October 2023 to fully focus on becoming an IKN content creator—a choice that reflects her total commitment to amplifying the voice of East Kalimantan’s community.

Awards and Recognition

Dian’s journey has not been without challenges. As a civilian without the support of a large production team, she faced limitations in access and equipment. Yet, it is precisely her consistency and sincerity that have drawn attention from many quarters:

  • Social Media Advocate for the Promotion of the Indonesian Language award, from the East Kalimantan Language Center (October 3, 2024).

  • National speaker at various forums, including Kominfo, the State Secretariat, UGTV, and the Provincial Adpim Bureau.

  • Recognized by national figures as a representative bridge between the government and citizens.

Vision and Commitment

Dian believes that social media is not merely a platform for entertainment or sensationalism, but a tool for citizen diplomacy and public empowerment. Guided by the principle of “giving voice to what often goes unheard,” she aims to ensure that every piece of content she creates opens space for dialogue, educates the public, and upholds accountability in development.

As she puts it:

If the development narrative is only told by the elite, citizens will remain mere spectators. I want all of us to have a stake in this development, at least through the way we speak and share stories.

Today, with over 329,000 YouTube subscribers and 72 million views, as well as an active presence on TikTok, Instagram, and her personal website Dianrana ID, Dian continues to build a grassroots narrative movement—for a more inclusive, transparent, and citizen-centered Indonesia.

 
 

References

  1. BeritaSatu. Creating Content Following Language Standards, Dian Rana Receives Award. Accessed August 4, 2025.
  2. Media Indonesia. Content Creator from East Kalimantan Witnesses the Formation of IKN. Accessed August 4, 2025.
  3. Rest of World. Inside the Influencer Campaign to Promote Indonesia’s New Capital. Accessed August 4, 2025.
  4. Merdeka.com. Profile of Dian Rana, Content Creator Actively Documenting IKN Development. Accessed August 4, 2025.
  5. Liputan 6. Not Just IKN Content: Dian Rana Gives Voice to the People Through Exclusive Interviews. Accessed August 4, 2025.