Indonesia's upcoming presidential election, slated for next month, is poised to shape the destiny of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's ambitious plan to relocate the nation's capital from Jakarta to Borneo.

Leading presidential contender Prabowo Subianto has voiced support for the capital relocation initiative. However, pre-election surveys suggest that Prabowo might not secure an outright victory, potentially leading to a runoff against either Anies Baswedan, a vocal critic of the move, or Ganjar Pranowo, who advocates for it.

Former Jakarta governor Anies has pledged to reassess the project if elected, advocating for investment in existing cities across the archipelago. This stance has struck a chord with some Indonesians, like Bambang Eko Susilo, who deems the relocation unnecessary given its hefty price tag of approximately U.S. $33 billion.

With the election drawing nearer, discussions surrounding the capital's relocation intensify among candidates and their supporters. The government asserts that basic infrastructure construction for the new capital, named Nusantara, is nearly 63% complete, aligning with the deadline set for year-end.

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A banner shows Indonesian presidential candidate and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (on the left) and his vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is also the Indonesian president’s eldest son, in Jakarta, Jan. 21, 2024. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP]

Jokowi's final term concludes in October, with plans to commence relocating some 1,800 civil servants to Nusantara by August, aiming to leave behind a legacy of a sustainable, green capital in Borneo by August 2024.

Prabowo, who previously contested against Jokowi in 2014 and 2019, has joined forces with Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and pledges to advance not only the Nusantara project but also to establish 10 "metaverse cities" nationwide.

Meanwhile, Ganjar, a former Central Java governor, reaffirms his commitment to the capital relocation project, citing adherence to the law passed in January 2018 to facilitate the move.

However, Anies advocates for delaying the project, prioritizing investments in healthcare and education. Nonetheless, Jokowi continues to unveil initiatives in Nusantara, including a logistics hub, a radio station, and private sector ventures like a five-star hotel and an international school.

While the government reiterates its commitment to the relocation, foreign investment remains scarce for the venture. Urban planning experts underscore the importance of ensuring economic viability and robust amenities to attract residents and investors to the new capital.

Despite differing opinions among analysts regarding the project's future, some Indonesians view the relocation as essential to addressing Jakarta's long-term challenges, including environmental concerns like sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction and rising sea levels.

Resident Astri Lestari expresses interest in relocating to the new capital, emphasizing the urgency of the move amidst Jakarta's ecological challenges. As the election approaches, voters weigh the candidates' stances on the capital relocation in shaping their decisions at the polls.

 

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