Investment Manager Reveals Indonesia's New Capital City Celebrates Independence Amid Construction Woes
By Willy Kurniawan
NUSANTARA, Indonesia - Indonesia commemorated its independence anniversary at the site of its upcoming new capital, Nusantara, for the first time on Saturday. However, the celebration was scaled back due to construction delays, funding shortages, and leadership resignations plaguing the ambitious project.
The legacy initiative of outgoing President Joko Widodo has faced challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of foreign investment, and recent setbacks in project management. Despite these hurdles, the event marking the country's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 was attended by 1,300 guests, a significant reduction from the originally planned 8,000 attendees.
Local community members and construction workers participated in the ceremony, standing under red umbrellas against a backdrop of partially completed buildings. One worker, Mulyana, shared his experience of toiling for nine months to construct a ministry office building amidst limited infrastructure and resources.
Nusantara is situated in a forested area on the eastern side of Borneo island, approximately 1,200 km away from the current capital of Jakarta. President Jokowi has made efforts to bolster confidence in the $32 billion mega-project by inaugurating hotels and office structures, yet he has hinted at potential delays in relocating civil servants to Nusantara based on the city's preparedness.
Incoming president Prabowo Subianto, who attended the independence celebration, has pledged to uphold and advance the Nusantara development. Meanwhile, a parallel event took place in Jakarta, featuring traditional music and dance performances.
In summary, Indonesia's new capital city project faces challenges but continues to progress under the leadership transition. The success of Nusantara remains crucial for the country's economic growth and development, highlighting the importance of strategic investments and effective project management in national infrastructure endeavors.