Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — President Prabowo Subianto has officially designated Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, as Indonesia’s political capital starting in 2028. The decision is outlined in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 79 of 2025.
The regulation lays out the first stage of Indonesia’s 2025–2045 Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) and the initial year of the 2025–2029 Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
Among the policy highlights is the relocation of the capital to IKN, which the government says will serve as the country’s political center by 2028.
“The planning, construction and relocation to Ibu Kota Nusantara are being carried out to support its designation as Indonesia’s political capital by 2028,” the presidential regulation states.
The regulation also details the spatial planning of Nusantara’s core government zone, including construction of offices and residential areas, to ensure the city is ready to function as the nation’s political capital by 2028. The documents state that the core government area and surrounding zones will cover between 800 and 850 hectares.
Around 20% of the development will consist of office and government buildings, while 50% will focus on sustainable and affordable housing. To support the move, the government plans to build 476 new housing units and upgrade 38,504 others.
In additionsm, Indonesia will assign between 1,700 and 4,100 civil servants to IKN as part of its plan to establish the city as the nation’s new political capital, according to the Presidential Regulation.
The decree outlines the relocation of government employees and defense personnel, as well as the implementation of a “smart government system” to support administration in the new capital.
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Construction of Nusantara began in 2022 under then-President Joko Widodo, who framed the project as a step toward reducing Java’s dominance in national development.
“Java is extremely dense, so development must be spread more evenly. It should be Indonesia-centric, not Java-centric,” Joko Widodo said at the time.
Jokowi, as he is widely known, estimated the project could take 15 to 20 years to complete. Once finished, he said, Nusantara will serve as the country’s full government hub.
(Raidi/Agung)
