Indonesian leader holds first cabinet meeting in unfinished future capital

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian President Joko Widodo held his first cabinet meeting in the future capital of Nusantara, amid miles of construction work and questions about the sustainability of the ambitious megaproject.

Widodo started working from the city two weeks ago, using an office inside the construction site of the massive new palace in the shape of the mythical eagle-shaped Garuda, the country’s symbol. The city will hold its first Indonesian Independence Day celebration in less than a week.

Widodo, who appeared with his successor, President-elect Prabowo Subianto, in front of the palace, insisted that the controversial $33 billion construction effort will be worth it.

“The capital of Nusantara is a canvas that carves the future. Not all countries have the opportunity and the ability to build their capital from scratch,” Widodo said.

Subianto promised that his administration will continue working in the new city after he takes office on October 20.

“We will definitely finish it, although the overall plan lasts for dozens of years, like other capitals, it also took a long time. We should not force it, but I am optimistic and I think that in five years it will work very well,” said Subianto.

Opening ceremonies for the vice-presidential palace, as well as several privately funded buildings, were also held Monday.

The government expects to pay only 20% of the planned $33 billion budget, which relies heavily on the private sector. investment to build key public infrastructure and facilities.

In a bid to attract investment, Widodo earlier this month gave investors in the new capital incentives, including land rights of up to 190 years.

Construction of the new city began in mid-2022, after Widodo announced a plan to move the capital from Jakarta. The metropolis suffers Due to pollution and congestion, it is prone to earthquakes and is sinking rapidly.

Officials say it will be a futuristic green city centered on forests and parks using renewable energy sources and smart waste management, spread over an area of ​​about 1,000 square miles (2,600 square kilometers).

“Fresh air, clean air, as we dream, we want a green capital, whether in energy, electric vehicles, environment, air and everything,” Widodo told reporters.

But the project, which uses excavated land in the Borneo jungle, has been dogged by criticism from environmentalists and indigenous communities, who say it degrades the environment, further reduces the habitat of endangered animals such as orangutans and displaces to indigenous peoples who depend on the land for their livelihood.