Capital City Transfer Not Ready, Jokowi; 'Even Moving Houses is Complicated'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi is not ready to move the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara Capital City (IKN), North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan. Jokowi said the Presidential Decree to transfer the capital city must consider the readiness of IKN’s infrastructure.

"Even moving houses is complicated, whereas this is relocating a capital city. Don’t underestimate it,” he said on Monday, August 12, 2024, quoted from a video received by Tempo.

Jokowi, in the same statement, had expressed his hope for investors to enter IKN. The government, he said, had started the development of IKN’s core government area. 

"We hope this will push as many investors as possible to invest in IKN. It’s a future investment,” he said. 

Responding to IKN’s continuity, Prabowo Subianto admitted that, if possible, he aimed to complete what Jokowi had initiated. The Minister of Defense said the IKN construction is not a short-term job, but he’s sure the new capital will function in three to five years. 

"I believe Mr. Jokowi has taken a historic role. He initiated it and I at least will continue the development, and complete it too if possible,” the president-elect said. He’s set to lead Indonesia for the next five years alongside Jokowi’s son; Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Jakarta still has the status of a capital city, despite the DKJ Law on its special status being passed a few months ago. To relocate the capital city, indeed, requires a Presidential Decree. 

The failure to release a Presidential Decree emerged alongside the questions about Prabowo’s hesitation to continue IKN construction considering the president-elect also has a flagship program that requires a big budget.

From 2022 to the end of 2024, the government will have spent over Rp72 trillion out of the State Budget for IKN construction. IKN Authority has proposed an additional Rp29.8 trillion for 2025, submitted by Acting Deputy Head of the IKN Authority, Raja Juli Antoni, during a meeting with Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

Political observer Adi Prayitno doubts the future of Indonesia’s new capital city project, or, after the government transfer from Jokowi to Prabowo Subianto. The difference in the priority programs between both leaders will potentially hamper the continuity of IKN construction.

Adi explained that IKN seemed to be used as a narrative by Prabowo's camp, but in reality, his priority “free meal” program also requires a huge budget. 

"The future of IKN seems to be pitch-black after Jokowi’s administration,” he said on Thursday evening, July 11, 2024. 

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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