Jokowi Plans to Commence Working from Nusantara

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) declared on Thursday that he plans to commence working from the new national capital, Nusantara, located in East Kalimantan, starting July of this year. The President emphasized that his move will be contingent on the completion of essential infrastructure, including the dedicated airport and toll road.

During the commencement ceremony for the development of several buildings in the new capital’s financial district, President Jokowi underscored the significance of the infrastructure developments. He anticipates that once the airport and toll road are completed, Nusantara will be accessible from the city’s dedicated airport in just 15 minutes. Additionally, the toll road is expected to reduce travel time from the nearest major city, Balikpapan, to Nusantara from two hours to a mere 45 minutes.

“We expect that the toll road and airport facilities will make the traffic from the airport to the new capital much busier,” President Jokowi stated while laying the cornerstone of state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia’s (BNI’s) office in Nusantara.

President Jokowi disclosed that Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, will relocate to Nusantara in June, preceding the President’s move in July.

Addressing the development of Nusantara’s financial district, President Jokowi expressed optimism about the support from banks, stating that the opening of more bank offices aligns with Nusantara’s smart city concept. He emphasized that the banks bringing their advanced digital banking systems will contribute to the realization of the smart city vision, even though the process requires time.

President Jokowi is confident that the influx of investments in the new capital will expedite Nusantara’s development process, which is estimated to span at least a decade. The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target to initiate government activities in the new capital from August 17, 2024, marking the 79th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.