Jokowi Invites Megawati, SBY to Independence Day Ceremony in IKN

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi invited all former presidents to attend the national ceremony commemorating the 79th Independence Day in the new capital city of Nusantara or IKN in East Kalimantan. Among the former presidents are Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY.

This year's August 17 ceremony is scheduled in a hybrid format, spanning IKN and Jakarta. The Palace has not yet disclosed the details of the arrangements.

“Everyone is welcome to IKN,” Jokowi said after visiting the health service post (Posyandu) in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 11.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy announced on Monday that the government planned to hold the annual ceremony using a hybrid system in IKN and Jakarta, as well as a ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery and the IKN Memorial Park. 

The ceremony in IKN will be presided over by outgoing President Jokowi and President-elect Prabowo, while Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka will lead the ceremony in Jakarta.

Even as changes occurred in the IKN Authority leadership, the government affirmed that the megaproject, which is reported to be more than 80 percent complete, will carry on. The resignation of Bambang Susantono as head of the IKN Authority raised public questions about the government's plan and decision to move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara.

Jokowi claimed that the annual ceremony would be held in a hybrid form due to the transition of the relocation. “So that the journey of the relocation can be seen,” the former Jakarta governor said, adding that the full ceremony at IKN might be held next year following a presidential decree on the capital relocation.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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