Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Swiss-Belhotel Nusantara, at Nusantara Capital, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, August 12, 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Distinguished Ministers,

Distinguished Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN),

Distinguished Governor of East Kalimantan Province and Regent of North Penajam Paser,

Founder of Multi Modern Group Mr. Sonny Waplau,

Distinguished Senior Vice President of Operation and Development of PT Swiss-bel International Indonesia, President Director and the Management of PT Hotel Papua Internasional,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Nusantara Capital, this capital, is built with a forest city concept. Forest city, not concrete city or glass city. I noticed that the design of Swiss-Belhotel Nusantara is excellent, adjusted to Nusantara Capital’s concept of forest city. And it was certainly curated by Mr. Ridwan Kamil. Mr. Ridwan Kamil has given a thumbs-up, meaning it’s excellent.

Second, smart city. It means that all activities in this Nusantara Capital are propped up by the latest technology. It is also a liveable city, a city that is comfortable to inhabit. This morning, I woke up and went outside my room, outside the house, and the air was very fresh and clean. I checked that the air quality index was six, very clean. It is very clean. The index in cities in Indonesia, especially in Java [island], is above 100. Many cities’ index is above 100.

Furthermore, the economy that will be developed in Nusantara Capital is green economy, digital economy, data center, financial center. Everything that will be built is green. Green energy with electric vehicles. For your information, the public transportation will use entirely electric vehicles. For example, we already have ART/Autonomous rail Rapid Transit. It will be powered entirely by electricity. Combustion cars, cars powered by fossil fuels, will be banned in this Nusantara Capital because its concept is a green city.

Second, the Swiss-Belhotel. Mr. Sonny told me that 197 rooms will be constructed, will be completed. He told me that the construction will be completed in 15 months. I will continue to monitor it although I will no longer be the President. I will continue to monitor it.

The hotel building is also a green building. It fits very well with the concept we have adopted. We hope infrastructure facilities will shortly be prepared by the OIKN and the Government, including road access to Swiss-Belhotel, electricity, and water. Thus, everything will be completed by the time the hotel construction finishes.

That concludes my statement on this auspicious occasion. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I hereby declare the groundbreaking of Swiss-Belhotel Nusantara in East Kalimantan province begin.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(DH/MMB)