Indonesian President Joko Widodo has commenced his duties from the new presidential palace in the country's forthcoming capital, Nusantara. The capital, also known as IKN, is situated in East Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo. President Widodo expressed his eagerness to spend the final months of his presidency in this new setting.
Key infrastructure projects in Nusantara are swiftly progressing as authorities strive to complete them before the upcoming Independence Day celebrations next month. President Widodo's initial agenda included meetings with officials from the Nusantara development authority and provincial leaders.
The presidential secretariat is ensuring that the new presidential office is fully equipped with furniture and essential utilities. President Widodo emphasized the importance of not impeding the ongoing development progress in Nusantara, where thousands of workers are diligently working on infrastructure projects.
The new 'Garuda Presidential Palace' is anticipated to host the country's Independence Day ceremony on August 17. However, concerns have been raised regarding the relocation plan due to slow construction progress and missed deadlines, leading to recent resignations within the Nusantara Capital Authority.
The project to build the new capital is estimated to cost $33 billion, with the state budget covering only a portion of the expenses. President Widodo's administration has sought investments from the private sector to support the development of key infrastructure and public facilities.
To attract investors, President Widodo recently signed a regulation granting certain rights, including long-term land rights, to investors in the future capital. The government is also working on securing additional power sources and ensuring sufficient clean water supply for the new city.
Despite the progress made, the official relocation of the capital is pending until President Widodo or President-elect Prabowo Subianto issues the decree. The delay in formalizing the decree has raised questions about the location of the presidential inauguration, as it must take place in the nation's capital as per the Indonesian constitution.
President-elect Prabowo Subianto has pledged to continue Widodo's projects, including the development of the new capital, once he assumes office. Construction of the new city began in mid-2022 following the decision to move the capital from Jakarta due to environmental and infrastructural challenges faced by the current capital.
