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.
They added that the president may be trying to show all is well as the mega-$32 billion project in Borneo has been marred by a range of issues including delays, obstacles in land acquisition and a poor investment profile.
As of July 18, the Provincial Palace and Presidential Palace buildings in East Kalimantan’s new capital, called Nusantara, were 87.6 percent and 88.5 percent complete, respectively, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
But economist Bima Yudhishthira of the Centre for Economic and Law Studies said he was unsure about Nusantara’s readiness, despite Jokowi taking an important step in the transition to a new administrative centre for the country.
“This is just a publicity stunt,” the Jakarta-based center’s director told BenarNews, referring to Jokowi’s move to the half-construction Nusantara city, which is expected to replace Jakarta as Indonesia’s capital.
A public policy expert at Trisakti University said Jokowi’s plan was an attempt to reassure the public that the huge investments already made in Nusantara were producing tangible results.
“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.”
Jokowi himself may have been joking when he said his remarks, but he seemed ambivalent.
Reporters asked Friday whether President Trump would preside over a Cabinet meeting during his visit, which local media reports said is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30.
“Everything is ready but if there are no chairs, how will we sit? Will we hold a Cabinet meeting in the chamber?” he replied.
A Public Works Ministry official later told reporters that the furniture for the presidential palace was ready.
President Jokowi has previously said larger personnel changes, such as adding more civil servants and offices, depended on the development of infrastructure such as electricity, water and office facilities.
Indonesia’s president announced plans in 2019 to move the capital from Jakarta to Borneo, citing overcrowding, flooding, pollution and the risks of sinking. The plan also aims to stimulate economic growth outside Java, and the project is due to be completed in 2045.
Analysts have criticised the rushed timeline, suggesting it is driven by concerns about President Jokowi’s political ambitions and legacy.
The relocation plan is seen as the president’s biggest project before he steps down in October after nearly a decade in office – he is not allowed a third term under Indonesia’s constitution.
Nusantara is intended to accommodate about 1.9 million people over an area of 260,000 hectares, roughly the equivalent of 1,000 square miles.
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.
