The Implications of the Unfinished Infrastructure in the New Indonesian Capital City of IKN
Indonesia's new capital city, Nusantara, is currently under development, with the government aiming to relocate
the capital from Jakarta to the new location on the island of Borneo (BUKIT et al., 2019). However, the
construction of the necessary infrastructure in the new capital is not yet complete, raising questions about the
implications of this delay.
The Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, has stated that Jakarta will remain the capital of
Indonesia until the infrastructure in Nusantara is fully completed (Haryanti, 2022). This decision is based on the
need to ensure that the new capital can adequately support the functions of the government and the relocation of
government offices and personnel (Arif, 2019).
The relocation of the capital city is a complex and multifaceted process, with various stakeholders involved
(BUKIT et al., 2019). The government is considering the economic, political, defense, security, social, cultural,
and environmental implications of the move (Azhar et al., 2020).
One of the key concerns is the environmental impact of the new capital's development. Scientists predict that
Jakarta will sink by 2050 due to land subsidence, poor drainage systems, and rising sea levels (Azhar et al., 2020).
The development of the new capital provides an opportunity to address these environmental challenges through
sustainable urban planning and disaster mitigation strategies (Azhar et al., 2020).
The delay in the completion of the infrastructure in Nusantara has also raised questions about the government's
ability to effectively manage the relocation process and provide efficient public services to the residents of Jakarta
(Ismowati et al., 2021). The government has faced criticism for its inefficient and ineffective handling of public
facilities and infrastructure in Jakarta (Ismowati et al., 2021), and the successful relocation of the capital will
depend on the government's ability to address these issues.
In conclusion, the decision to keep Jakarta as the capital until the infrastructure in Nusantara is completed reflects
the government's recognition of the importance of ensuring that the new capital can adequately support the
functions of the government and the relocation process. The government must continue to work towards the timely
completion of the necessary infrastructure in Nusantara while also addressing the environmental and public
service challenges in Jakarta.
However, the delay in the relocation of the capital also presents potential opportunities for the development of the
new city.
The delay in the completion of the infrastructure in Nusantara provides the government with additional time to
carefully plan and execute the relocation process (BUKIT et al., 2019). The government can use this time to
engage with stakeholders, address environmental concerns, and ensure that the new capital is designed to be a
sustainable and resilient city (BUKIT et al., 2019) (Azhar et al., 2020).
Additionally, the continued presence of the government in Jakarta could provide opportunities for the
development of integrated urban governance and the improvement of public services in the city (Ismowati et al.,
2021) (Zakir et al., 2019).
One potential advantage of the delay in the relocation of the capital is the opportunity for the government to focus
on addressing the infrastructure and public service challenges in Jakarta (Solihati & Indriyani, 2021). By
improving the infrastructure and public services in Jakarta, the government can demonstrate its commitment to
addressing the needs of the residents and build trust in the relocation process.
