JAKARTA (ANN/JAKARTA POST) – As Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day approaches, the government is intensifying preparations for the first-ever dual celebrations in Jakarta and the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s history.
Construction in Nusantara was temporarily halted on Saturday to facilitate the city’s inaugural Independence Day celebration on August 17. In a symbolic ceremony, the national flag and a replica of the proclamation of independence text were transported from Jakarta’s National Monument to the IKN. This marks the first time these national symbols have left the capital. The event in Jakarta also featured hundreds of participants, including Abang None pageant members, flag bearers, and students.
The flag and proclamation text are now securely housed at the newly built Garuda Palace in Nusantara.
“This event symbolises the teamwork and synergy between Jakarta and Nusantara,” remarked Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono, who also serves as the interim Jakarta governor.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and president-elect Prabowo Subianto are scheduled to lead the Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara, while Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi’s eldest son, will preside over the event in Jakarta.
However, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party has confirmed that he will not be attending the Nusantara celebrations, while former president Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has yet to confirm her attendance.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations have seen an increase in state funding, with the dual events in Jakarta and Nusantara requiring more resources. State Secretary Pratikno assured that although the budget has expanded to cover accommodations and transportation for guests in Nusantara, the increase is not “significant.”
Despite these assurances, public concerns have emerged regarding the financial implications for the next administration, particularly in terms of managing government activities in the new capital.
Tauhid Ahmad, executive director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), commented on Sunday that the costs associated with governance in Nusantara are expected to be higher than in Jakarta, given the substantial expenses involved in constructing the necessary infrastructure. “The cost of living in East Kalimantan is generally higher than in Jakarta, and the green initiatives planned for the new capital will also require additional funding,” Tauhid explained.
Several ministries and government bodies have already requested larger budgets for the 2025 fiscal year to accommodate the increased expenses in Nusantara. The Cabinet Secretariat, for instance, has proposed a budget increase to support operations in both the new capital and Jakarta.
Originally, the upcoming Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara were intended to mark the beginning of the capital’s relocation from Jakarta. However, construction delays, challenges in securing foreign investment, and land acquisition issues have hindered the relocation process.
President Jokowi has delayed signing the presidential decree that would officially designate IKN as the new capital, potentially leaving the decision to his successor, Prabowo. Although Prabowo, currently serving as defense minister, has pledged to continue developing Nusantara, observers note that he may not prioritize the project due to fiscal constraints.
President Jokowi traveled to Nusantara on Sunday and is set to hold a plenary cabinet meeting there on Monday. This will be the first full ministerial assembly at the new Garuda Palace, following the postponement of an earlier meeting due to the absence of key ministers and the lack of necessary furnishings.
