TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State Secretary Pratikno extended an apology on Thursday, confirming that the airport in the new capital Nusantara or IKN will not be ready in time for the upcoming Independence Day ceremony on August 17. He said the airport’s basic infrastructure remains incomplete.

“We sincerely apologize. Those eager to visit the IKN will have to wait until next year as access is very limited,” Pratikno said in the State Secretariat Ministry’s office in Jakarta on Thursday, August 1.

On the same occasion, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono explained that the airport's runway is currently 300 meters short of the required 2,200 meters, limiting operations to helicopters only.

He emphasized that persistent rain in the IKN region has further hampered construction progress.

“Our initial target was a 2,200-meter runway by August 17, but due to the rainy season, we've had to implement 24-hour monitoring and employed TMC (Weather Modification Technology). Thankfully, we've had a two-week rain-free period,” Basuki said.

To accommodate guests attending the Independence Day ceremony in the new capital, the government has outlined two alternative routes:

First, via the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road: Exit at KM 11, followed by the Pulau Balang-Simpang Riko Bridge (88 kilometers). Estimated travel time is 90 minutes.

Second, via the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road: Exit at KM 38, then proceed via Jalan Nasional Samboja. Estimated travel time is 150 minutes.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo plans to hold a hybrid Independence Day ceremony, with the flag-raising ceremony taking place in the new capital and a concurrent ceremony held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. The theme for this year's celebration is "New Nusantara, Advanced Indonesia".

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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