Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Joko Widodo or Jokowi entrusted the Nusantara Capital, or IKN, a priority project of his presidency, to his successor, President Prabowo Subianto. However, there may be a difference in priorities between the two leaders regarding the development of IKN in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan.
Quoting a report from Tempo Magazine's latest edition, several sources within the Presidential Palace confirmed that the head of state is not prioritizing the rapid development of IKN. Three officials from the Presidential Palace and the Red and White Cabinet stated that Prabowo's administration is instead focusing on its flagship programs, such as free nutritious meals, public schools, and the Red and White village cooperatives.
A lack of meetings and slower progress
One indicator of a shift in priorities is the frequency of meetings about the project. The same sources mentioned that during his first nine months in office, Prabowo has only held two meetings to discuss IKN: on January 21 and February 3, 2025. This stands in stark contrast to Jokowi's administration, where IKN meetings were conducted almost daily.
During the January meeting, which was attended by top officials, including the Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, Prabowo decided to postpone the capital's relocation until 2028 or 2029. This delay also includes moving the August 17th Independence Day celebration at IKN until the official relocation is complete.
According to two meeting participants, the president wants all government buildings and supporting infrastructure to be fully completed first.
This sentiment was also shared by Palace spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi. "Facilities and infrastructure must be ready before the President signs the decree to relocate the capital," he stated on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Another sign of Prabowo's disinterest was his lack of involvement in the project during his term as Defense Minister from 2019-2024. Two IKN officials revealed that he never once monitored the construction progress of the Ministry of Defense building in the new capital city.
Adding to the list of concerns, Prabowo has also reportedly complained to colleagues that the weather in IKN is too hot.
The Defense Ministry building: An empty lot
A Tempo visit to the site of the planned Ministry of Defense building in late July 2025 found a 4.63-hectare plot of land that was still empty and overgrown with wild grass. There were no signs of construction.
Deputy Minister of Public Works, Diana Kusumastuti, explained that the government is currently focused on building legislative and judicial buildings at IKN. The construction of the Ministry of Defense building will follow. "Maybe they can share office space first," she said on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
For the full report on the development of IKN, you can read the exclusive report in Tempo Magazine here.
– Francisca Christy Rosana contributed to the report.