TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Gerindra Party’s Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani said on Friday, June 28, that Prabowo Subianto would be inaugurated as President in Senayan, Central Jakarta, instead of the Nusantara Capital City or IKN, East Kalimantan. Prabowo will replace President Joko Widodo or Jokowi who is set to step down on October 20, 2024.

When asked why the president-elect was not inaugurated in the new capital, Muzani did not give any direct answer. “The point is (Prabowo’s) inauguration is in Senayan, and the ceremony in IKN,” he said.

The said ceremony is the Indonesian Independence Day celebration on August 17. Jokowi’s administration has been eyeing to hold the commemorative ceremony in Nusantara.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy previously confirmed that Jokowi and Prabowo would directly attend the Independence Day ceremony in IKN while their respective vice president, Ma’ruf Amin, and Gibran Rakabuming Raka will remain in Jakarta on August 17.

The location of the presidential inauguration was a question for Member of Commission V of DPR Roberth Rouw at a working meeting on Monday, April 1, 2024. The Constitution provided that the president and vice president must be inaugurated in a capital city, while Jakarta is no longer the capital city.

Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said in April that the presidential inauguration for Prabowo-Gibran will be held at IKN. "We’re planning for the presidential inauguration at IKN,” he said on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Jakarta still holds the capital city status as the transfer still awaits the presidential decree regulating the law. Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana has not responded to Tempo's message when asked for information on Friday, June 28, 2024.

After inspecting the location of the 79th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence at IKN, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Jokowi said there had been no decision on moving the country's capital. "I could sign it later or have the elected president sign it,” said Jokowi.

RIRI RAHAYU

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