President Joko Widodo of Indonesia is planning to move to the country’s new capital, Nusantara (IKN), by the end of June, ahead of the expected inauguration of the city on Aug 17 during Independence Day celebrations. This move comes amid the resignation of the head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority, Bambang Susantono, and his deputy, Dhony Rahajoe, who were overseeing the development of the megaproject. The President plans to relocate once clean water is available in government offices and ministerial housing complexes, with the installation expected to be completed by the end of June or early July.
Despite the resignations of the technocrats overseeing the project, President Widodo has reassured the public that the development of Nusantara will continue according to the shared vision that has been established. He emphasized that the new capital is still in the development process and will aim to be the “greenest capital in the world.” The government has been working to build the necessary infrastructure for the relocation of 12,000 civil servants in September, although the plan has faced delays and challenges related to securing private funding for the new capital.
During a visit to Nusantara, President Widodo participated in the inauguration of various projects, including schools and a nursery, which demonstrates the progress being made in the development of the new capital. The President will stay in the ministerial housing complex instead of a tent, where he has resided previously. The Indonesian Minister of Transportation announced that the IKN airport will be ready for operation on Aug 1, with significant progress already made on the runway and terminal buildings. The autonomous rail transit (ART) and the country’s first flying taxis are also set to be ready for testing in the coming months, positioning Indonesia alongside other countries that have begun similar tests.
The government’s efforts to develop Nusantara as the new capital city of Indonesia continue despite challenges such as the resignations of key officials and delays in the relocation plan. President Widodo’s planned move to the new capital signifies progress in the project, with a focus on ensuring infrastructure such as clean water and transportation is in place. The government’s commitment to building a sustainable and technologically advanced capital is evident through the implementation of projects like the ART and flying taxis. The completion of these initiatives will contribute to Indonesia’s transformation and position the country as a leader in innovative transportation solutions.
As the development of Nusantara progresses, Indonesia faces the task of overcoming obstacles such as the securing of private funding and ensuring that the relocation of civil servants proceeds as planned. The government’s focus on completing key infrastructure projects within the new capital aims to demonstrate its ability to successfully execute a large-scale urban development initiative. The upcoming inauguration of Nusantara on Independence Day is symbolic of Indonesia’s commitment to modernization and sustainable growth. President Widodo’s leadership and involvement in the project underscore the importance of developing a new capital that will serve as a model for future urban planning in the country.
