Nusantara prepares for Prabowo’s move in 2028

Big move ahead: A worker walks in front of the State Palace at the government offices complex in the future capital city Nusantara in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, on Nov. 10. President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to start working at the new capital on Aug. 17, 2028. PHOTO: ANTARA/THE JAKARTA POST

JAKARTA (ANN/JAKARTA POST) – The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority has begun implementing security preparations ahead of President Prabowo Subianto’s anticipated move to the new capital city by August 17, 2028.

IKN Authority Head Basuki Hadimuljono said coordination has been established with the East Kalimantan Police and the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to secure key locations, including the Garuda Palace and the State Palace.

“In 2025, we plan to establish 12 security posts across critical areas,” Basuki said during a press briefing at his office in Jakarta on Monday.

The announcement aligns with Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo’s statement that President Prabowo aims to begin operations at the future capital, Nusantara, by 2028 or, at the latest, by 2029.

A worker walks in front of the State Palace at the government offices complex in the future capital city Nusantara in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, on Nov. 10. PHOTO: ANN via ANTARA/THE JAKARTA POST

To meet this timeline, Basuki underscored the importance of expediting the development of the new capital. He highlighted that the urgency for the move was reiterated during the G20 forum, where President Prabowo emphasised Jakarta’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and climate change, which necessitates relocating the capital.

Basuki also referenced President Prabowo’s recent signing of Law No. 151/2024, which amends the designation of Jakarta from the Capital Special Region (DKI) to the Jakarta Special Region (DKJ). This amendment reflects Jakarta’s evolving role as the government transitions to Nusantara.

The IKN Authority has made significant progress in infrastructure development, with the Public Works Ministry reporting a 61.7 per cent completion rate across 109 projects worth IDR89 trillion (USD5.6 billion).

Deputy Public Works Minister Diana Kusumastuti assured that basic infrastructure is on track to support the relocation of civil servants starting in 2025.

“We remain committed to completing IKN with allocated budgets to continue infrastructure development. Preparations for the relocation to IKN have already begun,” Diana said during a meeting at the IKN Authority office on Monday.

Basuki added that President Prabowo has instructed the immediate completion of infrastructure for legislative and judicial institutions. These directives were issued just before Basuki’s appointment as head of the IKN Authority.

As preparations progress, Nusantara is set to become Indonesia’s new administrative and political centre, addressing climate challenges while paving the way for future development.