Nusantara to Resemble Washington D.C., Says Indonesian Trade Minister

Serang, The Gulf Observer: Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan expressed confidence that the new capital city, Nusantara, currently under development in East Kalimantan, will emerge as a metropolis akin to Washington D.C. in the United States.

“The city’s facilities look natural and fresh, though it is true that some of them are still under construction. However, I believe that the city will look like Washington D.C. when its development concludes,” Hasan stated in Serang, Banten, on Thursday.

Responding to criticisms directed at the development of Nusantara, Minister Hasan highlighted that many critics have not visited or stayed in the city.

“The IKN is amazing. I would like to invite those opposing the IKN development to come and spend a night in the city,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with the initial criticism faced by the Whoosh high-speed train project, Hasan emphasized the importance of firsthand experience before forming opinions.

“It would be inappropriate to insult [the IKN] without having visited it and got the feel of the place. Remember, some people that criticized the Whoosh train changed their mind after riding in the train,” he emphasized.

The minister noted that he had not yet determined the exact date to start working from IKN, stating that he would wait for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to relocate his presidential office first.

Earlier, Hasan accompanied President Jokowi during the groundbreaking ceremonies of several projects in Nusantara. On that occasion, the president expressed optimism about beginning work in Nusantara in July this year.

“I am optimistic about the office there. We are still waiting only for one thing, which is water supply, to be ready by July,” President Jokowi remarked while inspecting the construction of the Presidential Palace Complex on Wednesday.

He noted that the newly inaugurated Sepaku Semoi Dam in North Penajam Paser District would supply water to the IKN.