Indonesia to Hire Foreigners to Build New Capital

Jakarta. The Indonesian government mulls hiring foreign workers in order to speed up the construction of the new national capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan, Chief Investment Minister Luhut BInsar Pandjaitan has said.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo earlier announced the target to launch the new capital during the country’s Independence Day celebrations next year, which also marks his final year in office.
Luhut said the government doesn’t want to compromise the quality of key infrastructures being built in Nusantara with the accelerated works.
"Accordingly, I have reported to the president that we have to hire bule as supervisors,” Luhut said on Friday, using the Indonesian term for people of Caucasian ethnicity.
“We can’t afford to have the new presidential palace in an imperfect condition despite being completed,” he said during a hearing with lawmakers at the legislature building in Jakarta.
According to Luhut, the government is also working on the status of lands inside the Nusantara area intended for businesses, saying the issue should be settled by July 27.
The value of the land changes every six months in line with the progress in infrastructure development, he said.
The government has promised to grant land titles that span eight decades for industrial and residential properties in Nusantara.
Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono claimed earlier that the construction of primary infrastructures like roads, water supplies, electricity lines, and main government buildings will be completed before August 17 next year, when Indonesia will celebrate 79 years as an independent nation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with news broadcaster BTV recently, Basuki said construction works are now focusing on a toll road linking Nusantara Capital City and East Kalimantan’s biggest city Balikpapan.
In total, Basuki’s team is working on 76 construction projects, including four buildings for coordinating ministries that each will be temporarily used by related ministries until other offices are built.
“They will become sharing offices of ministries under the commanding ministers,” Basuki said.
In addition, the Public Works Ministry is also tasked with building 36 houses for the first cabinet members to be stationed in the new capital once the relocation begins and 47 high-rise apartments for civil servants and police members starting this July.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Civil Servant Move to Nusantara Delayed Amid Cabinet Restructuring
The relocation of civil servants to Nusantara is postponed as the government awaits a directive from President PrabowoRats Roam Future Capital Nusantara, Triggers Public Complaints
Nusantara, Indonesia’s future capital, is facing a rat infestation as visitor numbers spike during Eid, prompting swift cleanup efforts.Prabowo to Launch GovTech Super App, Requiring Every Family to Have a Bank Account
“Based on our initial calculations, digitalization could save us Rp 100 trillion ($6 billion) in unnecessary spending,” Luhut said.Nusantara Gets Rp 2.42 Trillion Investment for Hotels, Offices & EV Charging Stations
The Nusantara Capital Authority Signs Cooperation Agreement with Five Private Investors, Total Investment of Rp 2.42 Trillion.Balikpapan-Nusantara Toll Road to Open for Limited Use During Eid 2025
Balikpapan-Nusantara Toll Road to open for Eid 2025 in one direction. Pending approval, it aims to ease congestion in East Kalimantan.AI-Generated Video Falsely Depicts Flooding in Nusantara, Authorities Warn
Authorities debunk an AI-generated video falsely showing flooding in Nusantara. OIKN urges vigilance against hoaxes.Government Forms Special Team to Review Regulations Hindering Investments
Luhut noted that several investment-related policies are considered unfavorable to investors and should be abolished or revised.Nusantara Authority Now Fully Works in New Capital
The president signaled that Nusantara will serve as the “political capital” while the business and financial hub will remain in Jakarta.Luhut: Indonesia Must Guard Textile Industry from China’s Export Surge
Despite rising layoffs and global challenges, the textile sector remains a key economic driver, employing nearly 4 million workersIndonesia Drops Nusantara Study Visits to Egypt, Turkey, and India Due to Budget Constrains
Indonesia has canceled planned study trips to Egypt, Turkey, and India for Nusantara’s building designs due to budget constraints.The Latest
UK Signs Agreement to Hand Sovereignty of Disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius
Under the agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius 101 million pounds ($136 million) per year to lease back the base for at least 99 years.Indonesia Seizes Millions of Illegally Imported Tools from China Tracked Through TikTok Ads
The operation targeted a warehouse belonging to Asiaalum Trading Indonesia, located in Cikupa, Tangerang Regency, Banten.2 Staff Members of Israeli Embassy Killed in Shooting Near Jewish Museum in DC
Israeli officials identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American.Indonesia Evacuates 10 Citizens from Conflict Zone in Northern Yemen
The Indonesian Embassy in Muscat issued a high-alert advisory on May 10 for areas including Hudaidah, Sana’a, Dhamar, Taizz, and Turbah.Bahlil Takes Responsibility for LG’s Exit from $9.8b Battery Project
“The narrative that LG pulled out of the consortium is inaccurate," the minister said.Most Popular
