Indonesian President holds first meetings in the new capital, which is being built in a hurry for Independence Day
Kyiv • UNN
Joko Widodo held his first meetings in the new capital, Nusantara, where 80% of the infrastructure work has been completed. The president plans to inaugurate the new capital on August 17, although an official decree on the move has not yet been signed.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has arrived at his new office in the country's new capital, Nusantara. UNN reports with reference to Euronews.
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo begins work in the new capital city of Nusantara, located in the province of Kalimantan. More than 80% of the infrastructure works of the first phase of the $32 billion capital project have been completed there, of which the state budget will cover only 20%. The presidential administration has relied heavily on private sector investment to build key infrastructure and public facilities, as the state budget will mostly cover the construction of basic infrastructure, buildings, and utilities.
In a bid to attract investment, earlier this month Widodo signed a presidential decree granting investors certain rights, including land rights in the future capital for up to 190 years.
Media reports indicate that most of the buildings in the new city have not yet been completed. For example, the new state palace is 88% complete, and in several ministry buildings, only the lower floors are usable.
However, the president has already met with representatives of the new capital's administration. He is expected to spend three days a week in Nusantara. In particular, he plans to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17 in Nusantara with the official opening of the new capital. So far, the president has not yet issued an official decree on the transfer of the capital, and until such a decree is signed, Jakarta remains the country's capital. The media do not rule out that such a decree will be signed by his successor, Prabowo Subianto, who won the election in March this yearand will take office in a few months.
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Construction of the city began several years ago. The current capital, Jakarta, suffers from overpopulation and environmental problems. However, the new project has also been condemned by environmentalists: in their opinion, the city will only become a new source of pollution without solving Jakarta's problems.
