Nusantara: For the first time, Indonesia marked its Independence Day at Nusantara, the planned new capital, on Saturday. However, the event was scaled down due to ongoing construction issues and delays.
Nusantara, a flagship project of outgoing President Joko Widodo, has faced significant setbacks, including construction delays and funding shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of foreign investment, and recent resignations among project leaders.
Originally planned for 8,000 guests, the Independence Day ceremony was reduced to 1,300 attendees due to constraints on lodging and food supplies. The scaled-back event saw local community members and construction workers, sheltered under red umbrellas, gathered against the backdrop of several partially constructed buildings.
Mulyana, a 38-year-old construction worker, shared his experience of working on a ministry office building at Nusantara. “For five months we work in 24-hour shifts. Due to limited access, we need two to three hours daily to move concrete using heavy equipment,” he told Reuters. Mulyana also noted the site’s initial challenges with water and electricity supply.
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Located in a forested area on the eastern side of Borneo island, approximately 1,200 km (745 miles) from Jakarta, Nusantara is a $32 billion mega-project. In recent months, Jokowi has attempted to bolster confidence in the project by initiating construction on hotels and office buildings and holding a cabinet meeting in the new state palace.
Despite these efforts, Jokowi has hinted that the relocation of thousands of civil servants to Nusantara might be delayed until the city is more prepared, postponing an earlier September move date.
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Incoming president Prabowo Subianto, who also attended Saturday’s ceremony, has pledged to continue the Nusantara project. A parallel Independence Day celebration was held in Jakarta, featuring music and dance performances.
