Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In a significant step toward realizing Indonesia’s ambitious plan to relocate its capital, President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed Basuki Hadimuljono as the head of the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN). The appointment took place in a formal ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Basuki takes over the role from Bambang Susantono, who previously served as the Acting Head of OIKN.
The appointment was formalized under Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 151/P of 2024, which outlines the designation of Basuki as the new Chief of Nusantara. During the ceremony, President Prabowo administered the oath of office, underscoring the weight of responsibility that comes with overseeing the massive development project aimed at transforming Nusantara into Indonesia’s new capital city.
“I solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, abide by all laws, and fulfill my duties to the best of my ability and with a deep sense of responsibility to the nation,” recited Basuki during his oath.
In remarks following his appointment, Basuki shared insights into the goals and expectations laid out by President Prabowo. According to Basuki, the President has tasked him with accelerating the development of the new capital, setting a goal to complete key infrastructure components within the next three to four years. This includes a broad array of projects, from government office buildings and judicial and legislative facilities to residential spaces and essential infrastructure.
Basuki Hadimuljono Biography
As a longtime public servant and former Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki brings considerable experience to the task. His public career spans decades, having held various roles across Indonesia’s public infrastructure sectors. Basuki served as the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing under President Joko Widodo in both the “Working Cabinet” from 2014 to 2019 and the “Advanced Indonesia Cabinet” from 2019 to 2024, making him a familiar face among Indonesians and well-versed in managing large-scale development initiatives.
Basuki Hadimuljono was born on September 5, 1954, in Surakarta, Central Java. He holds a degree in Geological Engineering from Gadjah Mada University, one of Indonesia’s leading universities. He later pursued higher education in the United States, earning both a Master of Science and a Doctorate in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University in 1989 and 1992, respectively.
Over the years, Basuki has led various high-profile projects and held prominent positions. Notably, he served as the Chair of the Working Group for Rehabilitation Post-Tsunami in Aceh in 2004-2005 and played a key role in addressing critical infrastructure challenges across the country. He also led a team responsible for damage control and rehabilitation of the Purbaleunyi Toll Road and was involved in responding to the Sidoarjo mudflow disaster in East Java. His extensive experience in crisis response and infrastructure management provides a solid foundation for his new responsibilities at the helm of Nusantara.
The relocation of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan is a massive undertaking aimed at reducing population pressure and environmental stress on Jakarta, as well as promoting development in other regions of the country. The government hopes that the new capital will be more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced, serving as a model city for the future.
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In his acceptance remarks, Basuki expressed optimism about Nusantara’s future and committed to pushing the project forward as swiftly as possible. The Indonesian government is hopeful that Nusantara will attract both domestic and international investors and establish itself as a key economic and political center in Southeast Asia.
With his longstanding dedication to public service and infrastructure development, Basuki Hadimuljono is poised to guide the Nusantara Capital Authority toward its vision of creating a new epicenter for Indonesian governance and culture in East Kalimantan.
(Becky)
