Indonesia Marks Independence in New Capital

Indonesia celebrated its 79th Independence Day with a ceremony at Nusantara, the country's unfinished future capital. The city was planned to relieve pressure on Jakarta, but its construction is behind schedule. The ceremony was attended by President Joko Widodo, Cabinet ministers, and 1,300 guests, all dressed in traditional Indonesian attire. Originally, 8,000 guests were expected, but the number was reduced due to infrastructure issues. The event took place at the new Presidential Palace, shaped like the Garuda, Indonesia's mythical eagle-winged protector.

The new capital, located on the island of Borneo, aims to address Jakarta's problems, including overpopulation, flooding, traffic congestion, and pollution. Jakarta, home to 10 million people, is facing rapid sinking due to uncontrolled groundwater extraction and rising sea levels, with predictions that one-third of the city could be submerged by 2050.

Nusantara's construction began in mid-2022 over an area of 2,600 square kilometers. It is envisioned as a futuristic green city powered by renewable energy with smart waste management. However, the project has faced criticism from environmentalists and Indigenous communities for environmental degradation and displacement of local populations. The area is home to endangered species like orangutans.

The $33 billion project is primarily funded by private sector investment, with the government contributing only 20%. To attract investors, Widodo has offered incentives like extended land rights and tax breaks. Despite seven groundbreaking ceremonies, significant progress is still needed.

Widodo, who has been in office for a decade, will leave in October, with the timeline for the capital's completion remaining uncertain.