Jokowi delays formalization of IKN status due to slow progress – Regulations

The $32 billion Nusantara Capital City (IKN) project has been delayed again as key infrastructure remains unfinished just weeks before its scheduled mid-August opening, making it difficult for the government to formally relocate the country’s capital to a new city under construction in East Kalimantan.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Monday that the issuance of a presidential decree formalizing the city’s status as the country’s capital would depend on the progress of the project.

“I don’t want to force something that is not (completed) yet, don’t force it, we will check all the progress on the ground (before making any decisions),” Jokowi said, according to state news agency Antara.

Also read: Prabowo, Gibran to be inaugurated in Jakarta, not IKN: MPR

The president said the decree could be issued either by his administration or by the next one in October, indirectly referring to the inauguration of his successor, President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

“The date depends on the situation on site,” he added.

President Jokowi had scheduled the inauguration of the new city for August 17 to coincide with the 79th Independence Day celebrations.

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