JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo is set to officially start working from Nusantara this weekend in a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to complete the building of its new capital, also known as IKN.
Mr Heru Budi Hartono, who is the head of the presidential secretariat, said that Mr Widodo will travel to IKN on Sunday (Jul 28).
“On Jul 28, the president is scheduled to inaugurate the expressway and to inspect IKN. The ministry of public works and housing and the presidential secretariat are planning all necessary preparations for the president to begin his work at IKN,” he said during a press briefing at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Mr Heru Budi, who is also currently serving as the acting Governor of Jakarta, said that the president is likely to stay overnight in IKN for one or two days.
To facilitate the move, the presidential secretariat is preparing all the necessary furniture for the presidential office, including tables, chairs, and lighting.
When asked about the possibility of Mr Widodo holding the first Cabinet meeting in IKN, Mr Heru Budi said that the cabinet secretariat would provide further details.
“I have not heard about it, but we are certainly preparing everything necessary for the president to start working in Nusantara,” he added.
Mr Widodo’s relocation plan comes as Indonesia prepares to transfer the capital city status from Jakarta in Java to Nusantara in East Kalimantan province after several delays.
Initially, Mr Widodo had been confident about moving his office by early July.
However, he was forced to delay the move amid a scramble to get the supply of clean water and electricity up and running.
Mr Widodo had previously attributed these delays to bad weather conditions caused by heavy rainfall in Nusantara.
But in early June, the then-head and deputy of the body overseeing Nusantara’s planned development unexpectedly resigned, raising questions about the US$32 billion mega project.
COMPLETION OF PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
On Tuesday, Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono – who is also the acting head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority following the resignation of the previous officials – said that the construction of Sepaku drinking water treatment plant has been completed.
The first phase of Sepaku SPAM will see it serve several key buildings, including the presidential palace and office, the state secretariat ministry, the presidential security force, four coordinating ministry buildings, ministerial residences, civil servant apartment, exhibition galleries, as well as an amphitheater.
It will also support public facilities such as hotels, schools, shops, and hospitals.
Mr Basuki said that people can drink water directly from the taps in IKN, a departure from other parts of the country. Generally, tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable.
“This is drinking water, not just clean water. The water from the taps in IKN’s buildings can be consumed directly. We continue to monitor and check the water quality before it enters the reservoir,” said Mr Basuki, adding that he hopes the drinking water will be available for use in the next coming days.
Earlier, the construction of the presidential office and palace were also completed with the installation of the 4,650th metal ornament – the final piece of the Garuda-shaped palace – last Sunday.
The installation process took nearly a year, beginning with the first section, which was inaugurated by Mr Widodo in September 2023.
The Nusantara Presidential Palace will serve as the backdrop for the upcoming Independence Day ceremony on Aug 17, which will be held in both Nusantara and the current national capital, Jakarta.
Mr Widodo and his successor, current-Defence Minister Prabowo, will preside over the ceremony in Nusantara.
Despite the progress made, questions still remain as to when the new capital will officially be relocated to IKN, as the president is yet to issue the decree to officially designate Nusantara as the new capital.
Until the decree is signed, Jakarta remains the country’s capital.
Mr Widodo has signaled that the decree might be issued by Mr Prabowo who will be inaugurated as the new president on Oct 20.
The delay in formalising the decree has raised questions about the location of the presidential inauguration, as in accordance with the Indonesian constitution, the inauguration must take place in the nation’s capital.
Mr Jokowi’s eldest son, incoming-vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka, told local media on Tuesday that the inauguration is likely to be held in Jakarta.
Previously, past presidential inaugurations took place at the parliament complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Source from CNA
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