Jakarta. The Head of Indonesia's National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, announced that as of April 2024, the development progress of Indonesia's future capital, Nusantara (IKN), has reached 81 percent.

"We reported on the progress of IKN development because Bappenas is responsible for drafting the master plan. So, we informed President Joko Widodo that the development had reached nearly 81 percent," Suharso said in Jakarta on Monday.

In his report, Suharso mentioned that the ongoing Phase I development of IKN is taking place in the core area of the government center (KIPP) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. This area is targeted to be ready for the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony on August 17.

The progress in KIPP includes the Presidential Palace and the parade ground reaching 60.54 percent, the Presidential Palace reaching 80.95 percent, the coordinator ministry building reaching 49.36 percent, ministerial office buildings reaching 85.78 percent, and civil servant and defense and security apparatus apartment buildings reaching 33.88 percent.

Furthermore, infrastructure such as water resources and main road networks, including toll roads funded by the state budget, as well as electricity and telecommunication networks supported by state-owned enterprises, are being developed. "Meanwhile, basic and supporting facilities and infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, are supported by domestic entrepreneurs and the private sector," he added.

Suharso stated that a complete ecosystem development in the approximately 1,000-hectare area, covering the government area and pioneer residents' facilities, has been progressing according to the target.

Meanwhile, the trial of autonomous vehicles, autonomous rail transit, and advanced air mobility taxis will be conducted in July 2024.

Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation of the IKN Authority, Mohammed Ali Berawi, explained that IKN is designed as a capital city that implements the concept of a smart city, based on green and sustainable principles.

"Nusantara will implement an intelligent transportation system (ITS) to improve efficiency and security in mobility. The IKN development momentum is a great opportunity for the development and mastery of technology and innovative transportation modes, such as autonomous vehicles and advanced air mobility," he elaborated.

Ali Berawi recently visited the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles as part of the Smart City Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) activities in the United States.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with the Port of Long Beach, the City of Long Beach, intelligent transportation system research and development company Xtelligent, and wireless railway system company TIG/m regarding the development of green ports and smart urban transportation systems.

"In selecting technologies from various providers, we are not only focusing on cost optimization but also on technology quality and maturity, interoperability, value for money, and knowledge transfer," said Ali.

Meanwhile, the Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Enoh T Ebong, expressed the agency's support for the development of IKN.

"The development of IKN is an extraordinary task, but Indonesia is doing it with the best dedication and commitment. Technology and urban panel activities like this are expected to support the success of Nusantara development, enabling the exchange of experiences and best practices in smart city development, and opening up opportunities for cooperation in planning and implementation," he said.

Previously, State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Abdullah Azwar Anas announced the first batch of 38 ministries and institutions set to be relocated to Indonesia's future capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, starting in July.

Among these ministries and institutions are the State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated in March that he is considering a move to the new national capital, Nusantara, as early as July.