Antara, Jakarta – The presidential secretariat has begun furnishing the new office in Nusantara, East Kalimantan, to accommodate President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who intends to spend the last few months of his presidency in the future national capital.
Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said on Wednesday that the president is set to work from Nusantara starting July 28, beginning with the inauguration of a new toll road in the area.
"Preparation is underway. We are putting furniture into the office for Mr. President," Heru said.
The team has purchased chairs, desks, lamps, and stationery for the office, while also taking old furnishings from the State Palace in Jakarta, he added.
Jokowi said earlier this month that his plan to move his office to Nusantara in early July was delayed by a lack of utilities.
The project to build the new capital is estimated to cost $33 billion, of which the state budget will shoulder only 20 percent. The Jokowi administration relies heavily on investments from the private sector to build key infrastructure and public facilities.
The state budget will mainly cover the construction of basic infrastructure, buildings, and utilities within the "core area" of the government.
Jokowi said it may take 25 years to complete Nusantara as a new city. He is scheduled to lead a ceremony commemorating Independence Day in Nusantara for the first time on August 17, marking the symbolic start of the capital's relocation from Jakarta.
Jokowi's second and final term will expire on October 20, when President-Elect Prabowo Subianto will be sworn into office together with Vice President-Elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son.
Prabowo has not confirmed if he will immediately work from Nusantara during his presidency.