President Joko Widodo at the plenary cabinet meeting, the Garuda Palace, Nusantara, East Kalimantan province, Monday (08/12). (Photo by: BPMI/ Muchlis Jr)
Minister of Defense, which is also the President-elect for 2024-2029 Period Prabowo Subianto, Monday (08/12) reaffirmed his commitment to completing the construction of the new capital of Nusantara (IKN) in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province.
“Previously, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo conveyed the issue of equality and our desire to ease the burden of Java from population concentration and economic activity,” Prabowo said at the Garuda Palace, Nusantara.
Prabowo also expressed pride in the strong cultural nuances in Nusantara and expressed appreciation to President Jokowi and the Cabinet for their hard work.
“I want to assure the Nusantara Authority that we have prepared a quite large budget and we can—I think—complete several important constructions in the city,” he added.
According to the Minister, if the construction of key buildings such as the office of the House of Representatives/the People’s Consultative Assembly, the judiciary office, including the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, and housing for its employees, Nusantara can begin to operate as the Government’s capital.
“I am optimistic he completion of the Central Government area will invite even bigger investors,” he added.
In addition, the Minister also underscored the importance of disaster prevention, especially forest fires, with a sophisticated technology and to increase the number of firefighters since Nusantara is being developed as a forest city.
“There must not be the slightest moment to threaten the capital,” Prabowo remarked. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (GWH/EP)
