Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Military District Command Office (KODIM), North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, December 21, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May peace be upon us.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, TNI Commander, Police Chief, IKN Head Authority, Governor of East Kalimantan, my best friend Mr. Ridwan Kamil, Regent of North Penajam Paser, Military District Commander, Police Regional Chief.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome the start of construction of the Military District Command office in Indonesia’s new capital of Nusantara (IKN) on this 3.29-hectare land. In this area, we will construct a Military District Command office, personnel housing, guard posts and house, an arsenal, a hall, and other supporting infrastructure. The only message from me, related to design, is this military office must be designed with a vision for the future—modern and green building—so other military office across the country can use this military office as a model, a benchmark in the future how a military office should be and must be adapted to Nusantara capital’s vision, a forest city.

I have a message. I hope you do not cut down too many trees around the site since this location is a green environment and the trees are also excellent. If you can avoid cutting it, then do that. So, other military office across the country can use this military office as a model.

As the new national capital and center of the government, Nusantara is a vital strategic national project which that must be ensured. And I hope this type-A military office can assist the Government in performing the tasks of securing, supporting, and protecting the new capital from a host of threats and disturbances that can disrupt the integrity of the nation and state.

I hope the Military District Command office of Nusantara can help the Government in establishing regional security to protect the new capital and upholding state sovereignty.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion.

By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby declare the construction of Nusantara Military District Command Office begin.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(GWH/EP)