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The hidden cost of the Jokowi-era infrastructure boom

Under Jokowi, infrastructure projects have been distributed in ways that benefit certain regions and actors with close ties to the central government.

Okza Hendrian (The Jakarta Post)
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Jakarta
Mon, October 14, 2024

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The hidden cost of the Jokowi-era infrastructure boom Work in progress: Workers carry on construction of the Garuda Palace and the core government area on Sept. 13, 2024 at the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)

I

ndonesia’s rapid infrastructure expansion under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has captivated national and international attention. Mega-projects like the Trans-Java Toll Road and the ongoing construction of Nusantara in East Kalimantan symbolize progress and modernization.

However, behind these large-scale developments lies a darker reality, one where political patronage and repressive development practices sideline the very communities that are meant to benefit from these projects. This dual approach to infrastructure, both ambitious and authoritarian, raises questions about the true cost of development under Jokowi’s administration.

In his first term, Jokowi’s vision for Indonesia revolved around building physical connectivity across the archipelago. His administration embarked on massive projects, constructing thousands of kilometers of toll roads, ports, airports and bridges. These projects were not merely about boosting economic growth; they were tied to a nationalistic vision of a unified Indonesia physically, economically and symbolically.

The move to relocate Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan with the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) project is perhaps the boldest statement of Jokowi’s ambition. With Jakarta facing overpopulation, traffic congestion and environmental degradation, relocating the capital was framed as both a solution to these problems and a step toward more equitable development across Indonesia.

The project has been presented as a way to decentralize power from Java and distribute economic opportunities more equally. However, beneath the surface of these lofty ideals, a complex network of political and economic interests has emerged.

Development, while vital for the nation’s future, has increasingly been tied to technopolitical patrimonialism, where political leaders use infrastructure projects as tools for consolidating control, securing support and catering to elite economic interests.

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The concept of technopolitical patrimonialism, which was heavily present during Soeharto’s New Order regime, refers to the use of technological and infrastructural development to maintain political control and reward allies. While Jokowi's administration does not mirror Soeharto’s authoritarianism, elements of this patronage system remain embedded within Indonesia’s political structure.

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