President Jokowi Leads Groundbreaking Ceremony of Nusantara Sustainability Hub

President Joko Widodo at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nusantara Sustainability Hub in the Nusantara Capital (IKN), North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, on Wednesday (05/06) (Photo: Bureau of Press and Media of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nusantara Sustainability Hub in the Nusantara Capital (IKN), North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, on Wednesday (05/06) morning. In his remarks, President Jokowi expressed belief that air quality in the IKN is better than those in other cities.

“Earlier this morning, I checked Jakarta’s air quality index was 176, while the standard for good air quality index is 0-50. Singapore was 44. Melbourne was 38, Paris was 38. What about the air quality in the IKN? No information yet. However, I am confident that the air quality index must be under 30. It is my feeling. Then, I checked the air quality in the city of North Penajam Paser was 34. It should be under 20 here,” the President explained.

On the occasion, the President also convinced investors that investing in the IKN is the right choice. He emphasized that the IKN would be a location for green economy transformation and development.

“I would like to say that investing in the IKN secures future prospects because we will develop economic transformation, green economy, and green energy,” he said.

He also added that to maintain air quality, electric vehicles are the only permitted vehicles to operate in the IKN.

“I haven’t got information when combustion cars will stop operating in the IKN. Let Head of the IKN Authority decide the schedule. Therefore, electric vehicles will be the only transportation in the IKN. Then, we really expect that the air quality in IKN is right below 20,” the President noted.

Concluding his remarks, President Jokowi expressed appreciation for the construction of the Nusantara Sustainability Hub by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, PT Bakrie & Brothers, and other companies. The construction project is expected to boost collaboration between various parties to develop the Nusantara Capital in the future.

“I really appreciate the construction of the Nusantara Sustainability Hub that involves PT Pertamina, PT Bakrie & Brothers, and other companies. In the future, this construction will attract other companies and universities to collaborate to create a showcase of our nation’s research as well as to develop new economies, particularly green economy in our country,” he concluded. (TGH/DNS) (GA/MB)