JAKARTA, June 5 – President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, expressed confidence that he could start working in Nusantara, the new capital city in East Kalimantan, in July after clean water supplies became available.
“We are still waiting for just one for the water to be ready in July,” he remarked while inspecting the construction of the Presidential Palace complex at Nusantara, according to footage received from his office on Wednesday.
Jokowi explained that the water supply in the city will come from the Sepaku Semoi Dam in North Penajam Paser District, which was inaugurated on Tuesday.
“We just have to wait for the pump to raise the water and then distribute it to buildings and houses in Nusantara,” he stated.
Jokowi remarked that the construction progress of the Presidential Palace in the city stands at around 80 percent.
He expressed his belief that all necessary infrastructure, including the Presidential Palace, will be completed in time for the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony on August 17.
“There are no problems in the field. We checked one by one the venue locations, then the order of the ceremony; everything is good,” he said, adding that the palace construction will be complete around mid-July.
He also shared a personal experience, having stayed at the official residence of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) in Nusantara on Tuesday.
“This morning was very beautiful. Yesterday, during sunset, it was very beautiful, and that is the atmosphere here. I slept very soundly,” Jokowi said.
The Ministry of PUPR remains committed to meeting construction targets for the State Palace, ceremonial grounds, palace area, and the President’s Office.
The celebration of Independence Day will mark the gradual transfer of the state capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara.
