Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inauguration of the IKN National Axis Ceremony Plaza, in the Nusantara Capital Area, East Kalimantan Province, August 14, 2024

Journalists

Excuse us, sir. After the inauguration of the National Axis, could we say that Nusantara Capital (IKN) is 100 percent ready for the celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, not 100 percent yet, but close to 100 percent. There are still small items (to be finished off), which I checked again this morning. Everything seems good. Last night I also had a good and sound sleep at the State Palace.

Journalists

What’s the difference from your previous experience, sir? You said that you didn’t sleep well before.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, the construction is not completed yet. This is a big job, a really big one. This is also a long job. So, we will finish it step by step, one by one.

If you decided to stay in a room with no air conditioning yet, it’s your fault that you couldn’t sleep soundly. Last night, I had a good and sound sleep. Early this morning, straight after waking up, I took time to go around to see this area and its surroundings. I don’t know how many points I’ve visited.

Journalists

Have you tried jogging on the Forest Trail, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, this morning when most of you hadn’t woken up yet.

Journalists

Sir, did you watch the rehearsal (for the ceremony to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day) yesterday?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, good, it’s good. It will be more refined later.

Journalists

Sir, after the Independence Day ceremony, will there be any groundbreaking ceremonies?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The groundbreaking will continue to take place. Given the Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority is still selecting the 472 investments from the Letters of Intent (LoI), ten of which will get started straight away. They have to wait in queue. They still have to undergo selection process, right? Not all of the investments are eligible to enter here.

Journalists

In the cabinet meeting, President-elect Pak Prabowo also said that he couldn’t wait to work here, and he also insisted that the buildings for the People’s Consultative Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court should be built immediately, sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, that will be up to President-elect Pak Prabowo, after October 20. I said that the development of the new capital city of Nusantara could take 10, 15, 20 years. He said, “Oh, I think it’s too long. We should make it four, five, six years.” Yes, it’s up to him.

Journalists

With regard to foreign investors, yesterday Pak Bahlil (Minister of Investment) said that investors from Japan and Korea will invest here.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

There are still a lot of local investors who want to invest here. Domestic investors should be given priority first.

Journalists

Sir, what is your stage-one prognosis for this capital city development after this visit?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, it’s generally good, everything is within all the targets.

Journalists

What about the plan to transfer civil servants to the new capital, sir? Will it be still carried out in September?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

According to the plan, it will be carried out in September, but we must also ensure the city’s readiness. Once again, we don’t want to use any coercion. If the city is not ready yet, we will postpone the transfer, that’s it. So, we don’t want to use any coercion to make everything ready in a wrong way.

Journalists

Sir, with regard to Joni, the flag pole climber in 2018, who did not pass the selection process to enter the National Defense Forces (TNI) in East Nusa Tenggara province, you once invited him to the State Palace and promised him to enter the TNI, but he failed to pass the selection process because he was not tall enough.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, there must be rules for everything. Let the TNI Commander settle it.

(TM/MUR)