Indonesia is moving its capital to a new $35 billion jungle city

Indonesia is ready to officially move its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, a city that is currently under construction.

Nusantara is scheduled to hold Indonesia’s first Independence Day on August 17.

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The decision to move the capital from Jakarta, which has served as Indonesia’s political and economic center since independence in 1945, stems from the city’s severe environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Jakarta, a city of over 30 million people, faces chronic flooding, traffic congestion and rapid land erosion, with about 40% of the city now below sea level due to over-extraction of groundwater and rising sea levels .

What we know

President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, announced the resettlement plan in 2019, citing the need to ease Jakarta’s burden and promote more balanced development in the archipelago.

“We want to build a new Indonesia… a new work ethic, a new mindset, a new green economy,” Jokowi said. New York Times last year.

Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subiato said he is committed to “continue and if possible finish” the new capital, according to Bloomberg, after uncertainty over whether the incoming president would want to continue the project.

Nusantara, which means “archipelago” in Javanese, was selected for its strategic location in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, about 1,200 kilometers from Jakarta.

The $35 billion project aims not only to alleviate Jakarta’s overpopulation and environmental stress, but also to create a symbol of Indonesia’s aspirations for modernity and technological progress.

Conformable The GuardianJokowi said Nusantara will be about 15 percent complete by Independence Day on August 17. It is expected that this day will record the official transfer of the capital.

Incumbent President Jokowi and President-elect Subiato are inspecting the capital ahead of Independence Day celebrations, according to Bloomberg.

Jokowi also led his first full capital meeting in the new capital on Monday, according to Bloomberg. He brought many high-ranking Indonesian government officials to the new city.

In July, Jokowi invited local celebrities to Nusantara and, for the first time, used the office and slept at the new presidential palace, according to Bloomberg. During the Independence Day celebrations, he will stay there for three days.

The Guardian reported that many of the buildings in the new city were unfinished. Construction delays have affected plans to have 12,000 civil servants located in Nuşantara from July.

The government administration relied on private investment to build the city, with the state covering 20 percent of the cost, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reported that the lack of investment has put President-elect Prabowo in a difficult position once he is sworn in.

What’s next

Nusantara’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations will mark a key moment in Indonesia’s history.

Nusantara will be the nation’s capital when the president issues a decree, transferring that status from Jakarta. The decree may be signed by President-elect Subianto, whose inauguration will take place on October 20.

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