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Despite doubts, Indonesia's new capital proceeding as planned: IKN
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has made the capital city relocation, from the densely populated metropolis of Jakarta to an underdeveloped area in Kalimantan, a key part of his agenda.
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This aerial picture taken on July 31, 2019 by news outlet Tribun Kaltim shows a view of the area around Samboja, Kutai Kartanegara, one of two locations proposed by the government for Indonesia's new capital. Indonesia has chosen the eastern edge of jungle-clad Borneo island for its new capital, President Joko Widodo said on August 26, 2019, as the country looks to shift its political heart away from congested megalopolis Jakarta. (AFP/Fachmi Rachman/Tribun Kaltim)
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ndonesia said on Thursday development of its proposed new capital is going ahead as planned, despite several experts casting doubt over the viability of the $32 billion megaproject.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has made the capital city relocation, from the densely populated metropolis of Jakarta to an underdeveloped area in Kalimantan, a key part of his agenda.
But a survey of 170 experts including researchers, academics, professionals, businesspeople, journalists, bureaucrats and lawmakers showed that 58.8 percent them were unsure the project would materialise because of uncertainty over funding and management.
"The level of pessimism from the experts is quite high," the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a statement that accompanied the survey results on Monday.
Insufficient detail about how the project will be funded and managed has led to a lack of confidence in its viability, added CSIS researcher, Arya Fernandes.
Sidik Pramono, spokesperson for the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) authority, said development was proceeding as planned, with key infrastructure, including the construction of a dam, expected to begin later this year.
The CSIS survey, he said, was "motivation for the new capital city authority to work harder".
