Prabowo backs away from Nusantara for Independence Day celebration

The Star

18-07-2025

JAKARTA: The government has decided to hold this year's Independence Day celebration in Jakarta, despite President Prabowo Subianto's earlier pledge to mark the occasion in the future capital of Nusantara, raising fresh questions about the long-term commitment to his predecessor's flagship project.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chair Hasan Nasbi confirmed during a press briefing on Wednesday (July 16) that the State Secretariat had formed the organizing committee for the Aug 17 event, with the PCO also involved in the preparations.
'The Independence Day celebration will be held in Jakarta,' Hasan firmly stated.
Last year, such a celebration was held simultaneously in Jakarta and Nusantara. Then-president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, who launched the capital relocation megaproject, attended the ceremony in Nusantara, alongside then–defence minister and president-elect Prabowo.
At the time, when asked whether future celebrations would continue in the new capital, Prabowo responded, 'Insya Allah [God willing], it will be celebrated again here.'
However, Deputy State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro explained on Thursday that the decision to keep the celebration in Jakarta was made to avoid disrupting ongoing construction in Nusantara.
'We are focusing on completing the construction first,' Juri was quoted by Kompas.com as saying. Still, he noted that the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority would organize a separate local celebration in the East Kalimantan city.
Experts suggest Prabowo's decision to hold this year's Independence Day celebration in Jakarta reflects a shift in priorities driven by cost considerations and the administration's focus on populist programmes.
'The current government is not placing strong emphasis on Nusantara,' political analyst Adi Prayitno said on Thursday.
'Prabowo appears more focused on his own flagship initiatives, such as the free nutritious meals and village cooperatives programmes.'
The reversal comes as the new government imposes sweeping budget cuts to fund these signature policies.
Hosting the national celebration in Nusantara, where infrastructure is still under development, would likely incur higher logistical and operational costs.
Still, Adi noted that a complete abandonment of the new capital project is unlikely, pointing out that the administration has allocated Rp 48 trillion (US$2.94 billion) for Nusantara's development until 2029.
However, this figure falls well short of the Rp 79 trillion allocated during Jokowi's administration between 2022 and 2024.
Public policy expert Trubus Rahardiansyah called the decision to keep the Aug 17 event in Jakarta a 'practical move', rather than a sign that Prabowo is walking away from the capital relocation project.
'Unlike Nusantara, all the necessary facilities are already in Jakarta, so holding it here will be cheaper,' Trubus said.
'That said, Nusantara will likely remain on the back burner under Prabowo's administration, at least until all of his key programmes are fully running.'
But, political researcher Wasisto Raharjo Jati of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) warned that Prabowo needed to demonstrate clearer political commitment to the project. Notably, he has yet to visit Nusantara during his nine months in office.
'[The public] already views Nusantara as a project too big to fail. If Prabowo continues to let the project appear sidelined, it would also reflect poorly on his administration,' Wasisto said.
While the legal framework for relocating Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to Nusantara was enacted in 2021, President Prabowo has yet to issue the presidential decree required to officially move the seat of government.
Technically, this formal step is expected to take place only after the government achieves its 2028 target of turning Nusantara into a fully functioning political capital, complete with legislative and judicial buildings, supporting infrastructure and the already constructed government offices.
IKN Authority head Basuki Hadimuljono told lawmakers earlier this month that the agency is preparing to launch several new development projects this year, including the construction of legislative and judicial offices, supporting infrastructure and staff housing.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Ministry continues work on existing projects such as toll roads, the national mosque, the vice-presidential palace and roads within the central government zone.
The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry is also finalising 47 residential towers for civil servants. - The Jakarta Post/ANN