Heaptalk, Jakarta — President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that weighty attention to readiness is necessary before he signs the Presidential Decree (Keppres) regarding relocating the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara Capital.
He conveyed this during a press statement after inaugurating the Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE) 2024 at JCC Senayan, Jakarta (09/18). “We need to ensure that everything is truly ready there. If it’s only about signing, that can be done immediately. But the readiness of IKN itself is what matters,” Jokowi emphasized.
All city indicators must be ready once the Presidential Decree on the capital relocation is signed. This includes infrastructure, electricity, water, residential and office facilities, and other supporting systems.
He explained, “Once it’s signed, the relocation must happen. Everything needs to be ready. It’s not solely about having buildings; the furniture must be ready, the electricity must be ready, the human resources must be prepared, and the systems must be in place. This isn’t only a simple house move; since it’s the relocation of a capital city, everything must be accounted for.”
In the future, the Presidential Decree on the capital relocation can be signed by either him or the elected president. “The signer could be me or the elected President, Mr. Prabowo Subianto. But what’s most important is that the city is truly ready and the ecosystem is established. If everything is ready, we also need to consider other supporting factors, such as logistics, whether schools for children will be ready, and whether hospitals are prepared. Everything matters. It’s not only about the move itself. If it were only about the people moving, it would be easy—only bringing clothes would suffice,” Jokowi stated.
In closing, Jokowi hoped everyone would be patient while waiting for the Presidential Decree on the capital relocation to IKN.
