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Nusantara presidential palace completed in time for Independence Day
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Construction continues on the Presidential Palace and its vast Garuda wings in the future capital city of Nusantara in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan on July 11, 2024. The new city is scheduled to open as the country's new political center on Aug. 17, Indonesia's Independence Day. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
T
he government has announced the completion of the new presidential palace in the future capital city of Nusantara, East Kalimantan, as authorities race to complete other key infrastructure projects in the future capital city to host the Independence Day celebrations next month.
The Public Works and Housing Ministry posted on its official social media accounts on Sunday a video showcasing the last blade of steel being installed into the Nusantara Presidential Palace. These blades of steel, which amount to 4,650, are set to make the palace emulate the wings of the Garuda, the nation’s symbol.
The installation was witnessed by the public works minister, who also serves as the acting head of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, together with renowned sculptor Nyoman Nuarta who was responsible for designing and installing the blades forming the Garuda’s wings.
“Tonight, we [have just] witnessed the installation of the 4,650th blade of steel, which marks the completion of the construction of the Garuda [Presidential Palace],” Basuki said in the video.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was on hand to oversee the installation of the first blade in September last year, meaning that the whole installation project was done within 10 months.
Read also: Jokowi cites ‘heavy rain’ behind cancellation to move to IKN
While the Presidential Palace is complete, authorities are still racing to finish other key construction projects, including the new city’s waterworks and electricity grid as well as transportation infrastructure such as tollways and a VIP airport, all in the hopes of celebrating the country’s 79th Independence Day next month in Nusantara.
Presidential chief of staff Moeldoko said on Tuesday that the Jokowi administration was confident about meeting the August deadline.
“Nothing has changed with the plan, the Independence Day ceremony will be held in Nusantara. Pak Jokowi will be accompanied there by the president-elect [Prabowo Subianto], while Vice President [Ma’ruf Amin] will lead the celebration [in Jakarta] with the vice president-elect [Gibran Rakabuming Raka],” Moeldoko said on Monday as quoted by Antara.
Moeldoko also said he had sent a memo to State Secretary Pratikno, urging him to ensure that Jokowi signed a presidential decree that seals Indonesia’s capital relocation from Jakarta to Nusantara before the outgoing leader steps out of office in October.
“We are proposing […] this so that the [incoming] president and vice president can be inaugurated [in the new] capital,” Moeldoko added.
