The first phase of the Sepaku Special Province for Administrative, Economic, and Trade Areas (SPAM) will include key buildings such as the presidential palace and office, state secretariat ministry, presidential security force, coordinating ministry buildings, ministerial residences, civil servant apartments, exhibition galleries, and an amphitheater. In addition to these, public facilities like hotels, schools, shops, and hospitals will also be supported by the project. The infrastructure will be equipped to provide clean drinking water directly from the taps, a departure from the norm in Indonesia where tap water is generally not drinkable. The water quality will be continuously monitored to ensure safety for consumption.
The completion of construction on the presidential office and palace was marked by the installation of the 4,650th metal ornament – the final piece of the Garuda-shaped palace. This installation process, which took almost a year beginning with the first section, was inaugurated by President Widodo in September 2023. The Nusantara Presidential Palace will set the stage for the Independence Day ceremony on August 17, to be held in both Nusantara and Jakarta. President Widodo and incoming-Defence Minister Prabowo will preside over the ceremony at the new location in Nusantara.
There is still uncertainty surrounding the official relocation of the capital to IKN, as President Widodo has yet to issue the decree designating Nusantara as the new capital. Until this decree is signed, Jakarta remains the country’s capital. It is possible that the decree will be issued by President Prabowo, who is set to be inaugurated as the new president on October 20. This delay has led to questions regarding the location of the presidential inauguration, as per the Indonesian constitution, it must take place in the nation’s capital.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Jokowi and incoming vice-president, has suggested that the inauguration may be held in Jakarta, where previous presidential inaugurations took place at the parliament complex in Senayan. The uncertain timing of the capital relocation decree has created doubts and speculation regarding the exact timeline for the transition. Despite the progress made in the development of the new capital city, the formalities surrounding its designation and the subsequent implications for official events such as the presidential inauguration remain a point of interest and debate.
