On July 11, 2024, Indonesia’s future presidential palace will be located in Nusantara, the future capital of Penajang Basel North in East Kalimantan. The new political center operates for days.
Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images
Indonesian President Joko Widodo spent his first night at the eagle-shaped palace in the country’s proposed new capital, Nusantara, ahead of a formal meeting on Monday, as the outgoing leader sought to ease concerns about the Concerns over troubled infrastructure projects.
Although Nusantara faces multiple construction delays, a lack of foreign investment and management and land issues, President Joko Widodo has been working to complete as much new capital construction as possible before stepping down in October.
“This is a difficult job. It could take 10, 15, 20 years,” Joko told reporters outside the New Garuda Palace on Monday. “This is not a job that takes one or two years.”
This striking bird-shaped palace, composed of 4,650 eagle wing blades, is the centerpiece of the new capital.
The president acknowledged Monday that he had not slept well on his first night but said water, electricity and internet were now available, delaying his originally planned move this month. He did not specify how long he planned to work there.
The $32 billion infrastructure project is being built in the jungles of the tropical island of Borneo, about 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) from the current capital, Jakarta.
Jokowi, who is preparing to hold Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara on August 17, has sounded more pragmatic about the new capital in recent weeks.
“A lot of people think we’re rushing it… No, we’re not rushing this. This is in accordance with procedures,” he said.
The president donned a black safari jacket and rode Nusantara’s new toll road on a motorcycle on Sunday, flanked by several government officials and social media influencers.
In recent months, Jokowi has broken ground on a school and office complex in Nusantara and pledged to attract foreign investment. But years after announcing his signature project aimed at easing the burden on congested, polluted, sinking and overpopulated Jakarta, zero foreign funding has been promised.
Doubts deepened last month after two senior officials responsible for the program resigned without explanation.
President-elect Prabowo Subianto has pledged to continue developing Nusantara after taking office, but analysts say he will prioritize funding his signature “nutritional food” program.
