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President Jokowi holds first cabinet meeting in future capital Nusantara
The $32-billion megaproject Nusantara was widely expected to be inaugurated on August 17, the country's Independence Day, but building delays and funding woes have cast doubt on the schedule.
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This handout picture taken and released on July 29, 2024, by the Presidential Palace shows President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo (left) speaking to the media as he visits the new Presidential Palace in the future capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. (AFP/Handout)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday held his first cabinet meeting in Indonesia's future capital, despite much of the city remaining under construction as it runs behind schedule.
Almost all 34 cabinet ministers attended Monday's meeting, including defence minister and president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, who will be inaugurated on Oct. 20.
Live streamed from a room with metallic-blue walls, the president and cabinet ministers discussed the development of Nusantara, and the transition to the next administration.
The $32-billion megaproject Nusantara was widely expected to be inaugurated on August 17, the country's Independence Day, but building delays and funding woes have cast doubt on the schedule.
Jokowi, still hailed the city-in-progress, which is expected to be fully ready in 2045.
"Not all countries have the opportunity, have the ability to build their capital starting from zero," he said.
According to Jokowi, the city is "being built with the concept of a forest city, a jungle city, a city full of green" in eastern Borneo island.
But environmentalists have warned the rapid development of the new capital will hasten deforestation in one of the world's largest stretches of tropical rainforest.
Jokowi -- who started to work from the future capital several weeks ago -- brought dozens of officials to Nusantara for the cabinet meeting, including his successor Prabowo.
Prabowo pledged to continue the capital-to-be once he takes office in October, removing any doubt over his willingness to carry out Jokowi's legacy project.
Jokowi resurrected the long-shelved plan to relocate the capital soon after taking office in 2019 after experts warned Jakarta -- the megacity of 12 million people -- was sinking.
An official decree on moving the capital from Jakarta could be delayed until after Prabowo takes office, however.
"I have said many times that I am determined to continue, if possible, to complete the project," said Prabowo.
"I believe in three, four, five years, the capital city can function."
"Although we are aware that new capital construction is not a quick job, it's a long job, and a difficult one."
Ground broke on several projects on Monday, including the vice presidential palace and several private buildings.
But Nusantara has struggled to attract crucial foreign investment.
Jakarta will fund 20 percent of Nusantara and hopes to secure Rp 100 trillion ($6.13 billion) in private investment by the end of 2024.
But as of Monday, Jokowi said it had received only Rp 56.2 trillion.
The government aims to have 1.9 million people living in Nusantara by 2045.
