Indonesia Celebrates 79th Independence Day at Unfinished Capital Nusantara

Indonesia Celebrates 79th Independence Day Amidst Capital Construction Delays

On Saturday, Indonesia marked its 79th Independence Day with a ceremonial event held in Nusantara, the ambitious yet unfinished future capital intended to alleviate the burdens faced by the sinking metropolis of Jakarta. Unfortunately, the construction of this new capital is lagging behind its projected timeline.

Amidst the backdrop of cranes and ongoing construction, hundreds of officials and invited guests gathered to witness the ceremony. The occasion was presided over by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who presented the national Red-White flag to a designated bearer for the flag-raising ritual.

The ceremony took place at the new Presidential Palace, designed in the shape of Garuda, the mythical eagle that symbolizes protection in Indonesian culture. Initially, the event was planned to signify the inauguration of Nusantara as the new capital; however, due to extensive construction delays, the celebration was scaled down, casting uncertainty over the timeline for the capital’s relocation.

Originally, President Widodo had announced that 8,000 guests would attend the festivities, but this number was subsequently reduced to 1,300 owing to insufficient infrastructure at the new site. Meanwhile, another celebration occurred concurrently at the historic Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, which was attended by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.

Since late July, President Widodo has begun his official duties at the new presidential palace in Nusantara, convening his first Cabinet meeting there just this past Tuesday. As climate change exacerbates conditions in Jakarta, projections indicate that by 2050, one-third of the city could be underwater due to unchecked groundwater extraction and rising sea levels.

Construction of Nusantara commenced in mid-2022, covering an impressive 2,600 square kilometers of Borneo’s lush jungle. The vision for this new capital includes a futuristic, environmentally sustainable city filled with verdant forests and parks, powered by renewable energy, and employing advanced waste management systems.

Despite the grand vision, the project has faced significant backlash from environmental activists and Indigenous communities, who contend that the development threatens local ecosystems, endangers species such as orangutans, and displaces Indigenous populations reliant on the land.

Financially, the bulk of investment is expected to come from Indonesian enterprises, with the government covering only 20% of the $33 billion budget. To draw in private sector investment, President Widodo has introduced various incentives for Nusantara, such as land rights extending up to 190 years and considerable tax benefits.

With a population of approximately 275 million, Indonesia stands as Southeast Asia’s largest economy. As President Widodo approaches the conclusion of his decade-long tenure in October, the future of Nusantara remains a pivotal topic for the nation.