Riri Rahayu, Jakarta – The Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN) is still awaiting President Prabowo Subianto's availability to conduct the groundbreaking ceremony for the ninth phase of the IKN project. IKN Authority Spokesperson Troy Pantouw confirmed that his team and the Ministry of Public Works have submitted a request for the inauguration to the Presidential Palace.
"We are still awaiting confirmation of the schedule from the palace," Troy told Tempo on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Troy also mentioned that the investment figures for the ninth phase of the groundbreaking are yet to be confirmed. He explained that exact calculations would be available after the groundbreaking or as soon as possible on D-1. "We will inform later," he said.
Previously, Head of the IKN Authority Basuki Hadimuljono estimated the incoming investment for this phase at Rp6.5 trillion. Basuki also expressed the IKN Authority's readiness to proceed with the groundbreaking in January 2025, contingent upon the President's schedule.
In addition to the groundbreaking, the inauguration of completed infrastructure projects in IKN is also awaiting the President's schedule. One of them is the Garuda Palace, which has been submitted to the President by the Ministry of Public Works.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo explained that Prabowo's schedule for IKN visits has not yet been finalized due to his busy schedule. He emphasized that the inauguration of major projects typically requires the presence of the head of state.
"Unless he later gives an order, for example, to the Vice President or the Coordinating Minister (for Infrastructure and Regional Development)," Dody said during a meeting at the Ministry of Public Works on Monday evening, January 6, 2024.
Following President Prabowo's inauguration on October 20, 2024, there were concerns about the continuation of the IKN development as he did not mention the project in his inaugural speech. However, Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti assured the public that the development of Jokowi's legacy project in East Kalimantan would proceed with necessary adjustments. She also expressed optimism that the project would remain on track.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1963878/groundbreaking-of-ikn-phase-9-awaits-president-prabowos-schedul