Prabowo Optimistic Nusantara Will Function Optimally As Capital In Three Years

JAKARTA, Aug 12 (Bernama-ANTARA) -- President-elect Prabowo Subianto expressed confidence that Nusantara, the new capital city in East Kalimantan, will be fully operational as Indonesia's capital within the next three years, reported ANTARA news agency.

He believes that the transition to Nusantara will be successful and efficient, allowing the city to fulfil its role as the nation's administrative centre.

"We are aware that building a capital city is not a short job; it is a long and hard job, but I believe that in three, four, five years, it can function well as the capital city," Prabowo stated in IKN on Monday.

Prabowo is determined to continue the development of IKN, pioneered by President Joko Widodo, until all phases are complete.

"I have said many times, I am determined to continue, if possible, completing it. I think Mr. Jokowi has taken (on) a historical role; he initiated it; at least I will continue it; if possible, I'll join in completing it," he stated.

Despite not possessing a technical background, Prabowo affirmed that his experience in various developments in Indonesia can serve as the basis for overseeing the development of IKN until its completion.

"I am not a technical person, but I am empirical; I am also a field person. I also build a lot," he stated.

In addition to being committed to continuing IKN's development, Prabowo is also directly involved as an investor in its development.

Prabowo, who is concurrently minister of defence, expressed optimism that he would be able to meet public expectations regarding the benefits of moving the nation's capital from Jakarta to IKN.

"If we look at it, I'm optimistic, and later, we will see how beneficial this relocation is, although, of course, there is still a lot that we have to do," he remarked.

When asked whether Prabowo wanted to work in IKN, he said that a president must be in the capital city.

Based on the IKN development blueprint, the implementation of IKN's development in phase 1 is divided into three major work streams, which are urban development, infrastructure development, and economic development.

Head of the IKN Infrastructure Development Implementation Task Force Danis Sumadilaga estimates that all stages of development will take two decades.

Sumadilaga said that the stages are regulated in Presidential Decree Number 63 of 2022.

"In the last two years, until the end of July 2024, the development of IKN will focus on providing basic infrastructure, including water needs, roads, sanitation, waste management, and government offices," he stated.

--BERNAMA-ANTARA