Heaptalk, Jakarta — President Joko Widodo has appointed Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), and Raja Juli Antoni, the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), as Acting Head and Deputy Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority (NCA).
Minister of State Secretary Pratikno announced the appointment at the President’s Office, Jakarta (06/03). This appointment follows the resignations of Bambang Susantono as Head and Dhony Rahajoe as Deputy Head of NCA.
In a press statement, Minister Basuki Hadimuljono explained that his main as Acting Head of NCA focus is to resolve land and investment issues. The appointment of Raja Juli Antoni is intended to expedite the resolution of these land issues. “The two of us will soon decide the status of the land in the Nusantara Capital, whether it will be sold, leased, or used for Public-Private Partnerships. We want to expedite this to make investors no longer hesitate to invest. Secondly, as the land status becomes clearer, the legal status of investors in the capital city will also be more defined,” Basuki explained.
Additionally, President Joko Widodo has tasked Basuki Hadimuljono and Raja Juli Antoni with preparing to establish a special regional government (pemdasus) for the Nusantara Capital. He mentioned that regulations related to the formation of this special regional government have been prepared in the form of a Presidential Regulation (Perpres).
Basuki stated, “The Nusantara Capital Authority will not immediately become a special regional government, as its task is to accelerate the development of the capital city itself. The special regional government will be prepared separately, possibly by a task force in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.”
Furthermore, Basuki is optimistic that the shift in leadership at the Nusantara Capital Authority will not affect the construction of the new capital in East Kalimantan. He revealed that construction funded by the state budget has already reached 80% completion in phases 1 and 2. “Later, when the President visits the capital, he won’t stay at a campsite anymore but in a ministerial residence. This exhibits that the preparations funded by the state budget are ready,” he added.
Another issue that needs to be resolved immediately is investment. Basuki mentioned that unclear land status and partnerships still hamper this. Therefore, resolving land and investment issues will be a primary focus.