Indonesia celebrated 79 years of independence with a grand ceremony in its unfinished future capital Nusantara on Saturday. Though Nusantara was intended to relieve the pressure on Jakarta, construction has lagged behind schedule, casting uncertainty over when the capital will officially be transferred, as reported by the Associated Press.
President Joko Widodo and hundreds of officials gathered for the Independence Day ceremony at the new Presidential Palace, which is designed in the shape of the Garuda, a mythical eagle-winged figure that serves as the protector of Indonesia.Guests wore traditional attire from various Indonesian tribes, standing on a grassy area surrounded by cranes and incomplete government buildings.
Originally planned as the moment to inaugurate Nusantara as the new capital, the celebration instead highlighted the construction delays. President Widodo had previously announced that 8,000 guests would attend the event, but the number was reduced to 1,300 due to inadequate infrastructure.
Despite the unfinished state of the city, Widodo, who is already working at the new Presidential Palace, remained optimistic. His Cabinet held their first meeting in the new capital earlier in the week. The ceremony in Nusantara was held simultaneously with another celebration at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, which was attended by vice president Ma’ruf Amin.
In preparation for the event, more than 5,000 police and military officers were deployed to ensure safety, while 76 honorary flag-bearers led a parade with the national red-and-white banner.
Current Indonesia’s capital Jakarta with a population of over 10 million and over three times larger metropolitan area housing, has long faced issues of flooding, pollution, and congestion. These challenges have driven the decision to relocate the capital to Nusantara, which is being constructed on Borneo, far from the environmental threats faced by Jakarta. The city, positioned on the northwestern coast of Java, has been described as the world’s fastest-sinking city, with estimates suggesting that one-third of it could be submerged by 2050 due to unchecked groundwater extraction and rising sea levels.
Construction of the new capital began in mid-2022, spanning roughly 2,600 square kilometres carved from Borneo’s dense jungle. Officials envision a futuristic green city powered by renewable energy with extensive forests and parks. However, the project has faced criticism from environmentalists and indigenous groups, who argue it threatens fragile ecosystems, including the habitat of endangered orangutans, and displaces local communities who depend on the land for their livelihoods.
The government remains committed to the project with seven groundbreaking ceremonies held since construction began. These include new government and public buildings, as well as hotels, schools, and banks. With a $33 billion budget, the government is bearing 20% of the cost, while the remainder will come from private investors, mostly from Indonesian companies.
To attract further investment, Widodo recently introduced incentives, including land rights for up to 190 years and significant tax breaks. As Widodo nears the end of his 10-year presidency in October, Nusantara’s development will likely be a key part of his legacy.
President Joko Widodo and hundreds of officials gathered for the Independence Day ceremony at the new Presidential Palace, which is designed in the shape of the Garuda, a mythical eagle-winged figure that serves as the protector of Indonesia.Guests wore traditional attire from various Indonesian tribes, standing on a grassy area surrounded by cranes and incomplete government buildings.
Originally planned as the moment to inaugurate Nusantara as the new capital, the celebration instead highlighted the construction delays. President Widodo had previously announced that 8,000 guests would attend the event, but the number was reduced to 1,300 due to inadequate infrastructure.
Despite the unfinished state of the city, Widodo, who is already working at the new Presidential Palace, remained optimistic. His Cabinet held their first meeting in the new capital earlier in the week. The ceremony in Nusantara was held simultaneously with another celebration at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, which was attended by vice president Ma’ruf Amin.
In preparation for the event, more than 5,000 police and military officers were deployed to ensure safety, while 76 honorary flag-bearers led a parade with the national red-and-white banner.
Current Indonesia’s capital Jakarta with a population of over 10 million and over three times larger metropolitan area housing, has long faced issues of flooding, pollution, and congestion. These challenges have driven the decision to relocate the capital to Nusantara, which is being constructed on Borneo, far from the environmental threats faced by Jakarta. The city, positioned on the northwestern coast of Java, has been described as the world’s fastest-sinking city, with estimates suggesting that one-third of it could be submerged by 2050 due to unchecked groundwater extraction and rising sea levels.
Construction of the new capital began in mid-2022, spanning roughly 2,600 square kilometres carved from Borneo’s dense jungle. Officials envision a futuristic green city powered by renewable energy with extensive forests and parks. However, the project has faced criticism from environmentalists and indigenous groups, who argue it threatens fragile ecosystems, including the habitat of endangered orangutans, and displaces local communities who depend on the land for their livelihoods.
The government remains committed to the project with seven groundbreaking ceremonies held since construction began. These include new government and public buildings, as well as hotels, schools, and banks. With a $33 billion budget, the government is bearing 20% of the cost, while the remainder will come from private investors, mostly from Indonesian companies.
To attract further investment, Widodo recently introduced incentives, including land rights for up to 190 years and significant tax breaks. As Widodo nears the end of his 10-year presidency in October, Nusantara’s development will likely be a key part of his legacy.
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