Portrait of Joko Widodo
Politician · policy
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Joko Widodo on Nusantara Capital Project

Strong project advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Joko Widodo strongly champions the relocation of the capital to Nusantara as a vital step for balanced national development.

Key Points

  • He initiated the plan to relocate the capital to Nusantara to achieve more balanced national development beyond the Java-centric model.

  • He has pressed for prudence and cautioned against rushing the official designation of Nusantara as the capital until development progress is sufficient.

  • The President attended groundbreaking ceremonies for private sector projects, such as an international school campus, to signal support for private investment.

Summary

Joko Widodo initiated and remains a staunch advocate for the Nusantara Capital Project, which aims to move Indonesia's administrative center from the congested Jakarta to a new site in East Kalimantan. His core stance is that the relocation is necessary to promote more balanced national development, moving away from the long-standing Java-centric model. The project, valued at up to US$32 billion, relies heavily on private sector investment to fund about 80 percent of the development costs, with the state bearing the remainder for essential government buildings.

Despite the project's ambition, he has also shown a pragmatic side regarding the timeline, pressing for prudence before the official designation takes place. The President has acknowledged the complexity of the move, comparing it to far more than simply 'moving out to a new home' and stating that the official relocation order depends on the site’s readiness. This suggests a commitment to the vision, but one tempered by the need to ensure necessary infrastructure is in place before a full transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joko Widodo is the primary proponent and a strong advocate for the Nusantara Capital Project. He views the relocation as a critical strategy to ensure more balanced national development for Indonesia. His position is one of firm commitment to realizing the new capital city.

The provided information suggests his core stance supporting the project has remained strong and consistent since its inception. However, he has demonstrated flexibility on the timeline, stating the official move should only occur once the site’s readiness is confirmed.

The President stated that moving the nation's capital is significantly more complex than relocating a single home. He emphasized that the decision must account for administrative, legal, and actual development progress at the Nusantara site.