JAKARTA, June 5 — Indonesian President Joko Widodo said today he plans to start working from the new capital next month amid concerns over the future of the project, following resignations of senior executives overseeing the development.
He said progress on a number of infrastructure developments under the first phase of the US$32 billion (RM150.3 billion) capital city, called Nusantara, in Borneo, has reached around 80%.
“God willing, in July, I will start working from the new capital city,” he said in an Instagram post, adding that preparations to celebrate Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day in the new capital in August are well underway.
The head and deputy head of the body overseeing the planned new capital have unexpectedly resigned, an official said on Monday, raising concerns it would shake investor sentiment.
The President earlier today dismissed the concern when asked whether he is worried about it. He was in Nusantara to inspect the development progress and launch more building construction.
— Reuters
