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NUSANTARA CAPITAL CITY - JAKARTA. NUSANTARA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo spent his first night in the newly constructed state palace in IKN Nusantara.
The eagle-shaped state palace in the nation's capital was inaugurated ahead of an official meeting on Monday. The President's activities, as he prepares to step down from leadership this coming October, are seen as an attempt to alleviate concerns about the continuity of the infrastructure projects he initiated.
Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, has been rushing to complete as much of the new capital as possible before his term ends in October 2024. However, the IKN Nusantara Capital City has faced numerous construction delays, a lack of foreign investment, and land management issues.
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"This is a big job. It could take 10, 15, 20 years," President Jokowi told reporters outside the new Garuda Palace on Monday, as reported by Reuters. "This is not a job that takes one or two years."
The dramatically bird-shaped palace, composed of 4,650 slats forming an eagle's wings, is the centerpiece of the new capital.
On Monday, the president admitted that he did not sleep well on his first night.
However, he stated that water, electricity, and internet services, which had delayed his relocation plans this month, are now available. He did not specify how long he plans to work and have his office in this location.
IKN Nusantara was built in the middle of a forest on the tropical island of Kalimantan. The $32 billion infrastructure project is located about 1,200 km (750 miles) from the current capital, Jakarta.
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Preparing to host Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara on August 17, Jokowi has been more pragmatic in recent weeks in his remarks about the new capital.
"Many people think we are rushing... No, we are not rushing. It's according to procedure," he said.
On Sunday, the president donned a black touring jacket and rode a motorcycle on the new toll road in Nusantara, flanked by several government officials and social media influencers.
In recent months, Jokowi has inaugurated the construction of schools, and office complexes in Nusantara, and promised foreign investment.
However, years after announcing his flagship project, intended to alleviate the burden of congested, polluted, sinking, and overpopulated Jakarta, no foreign funding has been committed.
Doubts deepened last month after two high-ranking officials overseeing the project resigned without explanation.
President-elect Prabowo Subianto has pledged to continue developing Nusantara after he is sworn in, but analysts say he will prioritize funding for his own "nutritious food" program.
