By Ahmad Shamsuddin and Pizarro Gozali Idrus
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to open his official duties in the new capital on Sunday could be a move to promote his legacy projects ahead of leaving office in October, some analysts told BenarNews.
With the $32 billion megaproject in Borneo marred by delays, obstacles to acquiring land, difficulties in attracting investment and other issues, analysts said the president may be trying to show all is well.
As of July 18, the Provincial Palace and Presidential Palace buildings on the proposed site of the new capital, called Nusantara, in East Kalimantan province, were 87.6 percent and 88.5 percent complete, respectively, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
But Bima Yudhishthira, an analyst at the Centre for Economic and Law Studies, said he was unsure about Nusantara’s readiness, even as Jokowi took a significant step in the transition to a new administrative centre for the country.
“This is just a publicity stunt,” the Jakarta-based centre’s director told BenarNews, referring to President Jokowi’s plans to operate from the city seen as a potential replacement for Jakarta as Indonesia’s capital.
Another analyst, a public policy expert at Trisakti University, saw this as an attempt by President Jokowi to reassure the public.
“This appears to be an attempt by President Jokowi to boost his image as his term draws to a close,” Trisakti’s Trubs Rahadiansyah told BenarNews.
“This is a symbolic gesture to demonstrate the operational readiness of the new capital.”
Presidential Secretary Heru Budi Hartono told reporters on Wednesday that Jokowi’s stay in the new capital this weekend is expected to be short.
“He’ll probably stay there for a day or two,” he said.
“We are preparing everything the president needs to work from there.”
Budi said the focus was particularly on ensuring that critical infrastructure was maintained, as President Joko Widodo plans to spend more time in Nusantara as the 79th independence anniversary on August 17 approaches.
Nusantara is where the main Independence Day ceremonies are held.
Breaking with tradition, the event will be held in both Nusantara and Jakarta.
To support the ceremony, all ministry offices in Nusantara are expected to be operational by August.
President Jokowi will lead the ceremony in Nusantara alongside President-elect Prabowo Subianto, while Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Jokowi’s eldest son and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka will oversee the ceremony in Jakarta.
The presidential palace, topped by a structure resembling the giant wings of the Hindu god Garuda, Indonesia’s national symbol, will serve as the backdrop for the ceremony.
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, construction on the building reached a significant milestone this week with the installation of the structure’s 4,650th and final section.
Designed by sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, the structure weighs 1,398.3 tons, is 77 meters (253 feet) tall and 177 meters wide, and is constructed from individual sections of brass and corrosion-resistant steel, each weighing 300 kilograms (660 pounds).
Meanwhile, Nusantara Metropolitan Authority interim head Basuki Hadimuljono reported that tests of the water supply system had been successful, with water flowing from the treatment plant to the main reservoir.
The goal is to have the system fully operational by the end of July, he said on the Ministry of Public Works’ website.
It seems like a new town is taking shape.
Still, Jokowi has delayed signing a decree to move the capital, suggesting it may fall to his successor, Prabowo Subianto, who is due to take office on October 20.
The decree will set out details for the implementation of the relocation and is likely to also cover the practical aspects of the transition, while a law signed in 2022 formally established Nusantara as Indonesia’s future capital and set out the legal framework for the relocation.
Prime Minister Prabowo has vowed to push ahead with the ambitious project but some analysts say he has shown little interest in speeding up its completion due to financial demands and prioritising other initiatives such as free school meals.
Bima, from the Centre for Economic Law, said funding will be the main hurdle that will determine Nusantara’s fate once Jokowi’s term ends.
“It is clear that the national budget will be allocated to support Prabowo’s key initiatives, such as free school meals, plantations and bioenergy projects,” he told BenarNews.
The budget for providing free lunches to all of Indonesia’s 82 million schoolchildren would far exceed the annual budget for Prabowo’s proposed new capital.
The free school meals scheme has been allocated $4.4 billion next year. Prabowo said in May that construction of Nusnatala has been allocated $1 billion a year by the incoming government.
Prabowo’s inauguration ceremony in October will take place in Jakarta if the decree is not signed.
Constitutional law professor Zimry Assidiki predicted Nusantara would not be ready in time for a meeting of the People’s Consultative Assembly needed for the ceremony.
“At this point, that seems unlikely. [for the swearing-in to take place in Nusantara]Zimly, who is also a former president of the Constitutional Court, told BenarNews.
“The formal transfer order may be issued by President Prabowo himself.”
Gimley said a more accurate forecast would be available at the end of August.
“Given the current accelerated pace of construction, there may be some surprises in the decree signed by President Jokowi and the opening ceremony there. [in Nusantara],” He said.
Tria Dyanti in Jakarta contributed to this report.
