JAKARTA, Aug 12 — Indonesia President Joko Widodo held his first cabinet meeting in his planned new capital Nusantara today, as the outgoing leader seeks to reassure investors his US$32 billion (RM142.3 billion) megaproject stays on track before he steps down in October.
Years after announcing his flagship infrastructure project, intended to ease the burden on congested, sinking and overpopulated Jakarta, Nusantara has faced multiple problems, including construction delays and a lack of foreign investment.
Preparing to leave office after serving the maximum two terms, Jokowi, as the president is known, told his ministers the new capital marks a historic new chapter for the country.
“The new capital Nusantara is a canvas on which we can carve out the future. Not every country has the opportunity or ability to construct a new capital from zero,” he said, speaking from the new eagle-shaped state palace.
Nusantara is being built in a forested pocket in Borneo, about 1,200km from current capital Jakarta.
The location was strategic and would promote equal development across Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Jokowi said, adding that the country’s population and economic activity has long been dominated by the island of Java, which accounts for 58 per cent of the gross domestic product.
Nearly all 34 ministers attended today’s meeting, including Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who will be inaugurated on October 20.
Live streamed from a room with metallic-blue walls, the president and Cabinet discussed Nusantara’s development, and the transition to the next administration.
Jokowi said he is confident foreign investment will be forthcoming, and that incoming president Prabowo would remain committed to the project.
“At the very least, I’ll continue it, I’ll complete it if it’s possible,” Prabowo told reporters before the meeting.
“Although we are aware the new capital construction is not a quick job, it’s a long job, and a difficult one.”
— Reuters
