By : Dhita Karuniawati ) *
President Prabowo ensured that the development of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) will continue during his administration. President Prabowo Subianto targets to start working in the IKN on August 17, 2028, which indicates the readiness of the IKN as a functional capital. The process of moving the capital city is planned to be fully completed before the 2029 Election, with the inauguration of state officials to be held in the Archipelago. The continuity of this development is proof of President Prabowo’s commitment to completing the IKN project.
The construction of the IKN mega project Phase 1 as of December 13, 2024 has reached 69%. This project continues to be intensified in line with the target of functionalizing the IKN Center of Government Core Area (KIPP) in 2025. Meanwhile, based on data from the IKN Authority, of the 109 development packages from the APBN contracted from 2020 to 2024, the overall progress of IKN development has reached 61.7%.
To accelerate the development progress, President Prabowo Subianto will also lay the first stone or groundbreaking for the ninth phase of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) project, East Kalimantan, in early 2025. This project will cost up to IDR 6.5 trillion.
President Prabowo Subianto said one of the strategic reasons behind moving the capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan is the impact of global climate change. In the G20 forum in Brazil, President Prabowo expressed his concern regarding rising sea levels that have begun to inundate several coastal areas in Indonesia. This is a serious challenge that must be anticipated with strategic steps, one of which is moving the capital.
Indonesia is directly affected by climate change. Indonesia’s coastal areas are now submerged due to rising sea levels. Therefore, moving the capital city is a strategic step to overcome these challenges.
Special Staff to the Head of the IKN Authority for Public Communication, Troy Pantouw explained five important things that reflect the commitment of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto and the government in ensuring that the relocation of the capital city runs according to the grand vision that has been set.
The development of government infrastructure in the IKN is also a major concern. Troy said that the IKN Authority plans to complete the development of legislative, judicial, and supporting ecosystem infrastructure in 2028. Currently, the focus of development is directed at executive infrastructure which is targeted for completion by the end of 2024. Housing and other supporting facilities are also being prepared to support the relocation of ASN which is planned to begin in 2025.
As part of a symbolic move, the government has announced that the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta will no longer be the state mosque. Instead, the Grand Mosque in the capital city will take on that role. In 2025, on 1 Shawwal 1446 Hijri, the first Eid prayer will be held at the Grand Mosque of Nusantara, which is a symbol of the nation’s spiritual and cultural transition.
Head of the Indonesian Capital Authority (OIKN) Basuki Hadimuljono said that the government is targeting the state mosque in the Indonesian Capital (IKN), East Kalimantan to be used for worship during Eid 2025. For other places of worship such as churches, monasteries, temples and so on, they are currently still in the auction process. These places of worship will be built side by side.
The Grand Mosque of Nusantara will not only be a center of worship, but also a symbol of the integration of religious values with the vision of developing the IKN as a green and sustainable city.
Previously, the Spokesperson for the Presidential Communications Office, Hariqo Wibawa Satria, said that the Mosque in the IKN would replace the status of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta as the State Mosque.
Hariqo explained that the change was a consequence of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta which would no longer be the capital of Indonesia and would move to the IKN. This step proves the commitment of President Prabowo Subianto’s government to continue the development of the IKN while providing facilitiesadequate and representative worship for all Indonesian people, in accordance with the Vision of Advanced Indonesia.
The mosque in the IKN will function as an inclusive center for social and spiritual activities for all Indonesian people.
The mosque in IKN is in the first phase of construction consisting of a 4-story main building. He detailed the 4 floors as 2 mezzanine floors and 2 floors of multipurpose courtyards as well as for parking. The mosque in IKN can accommodate a maximum of 60 thousand worshipers after being built.
The IKN Mosque was built on an area of 32,125 m2 with a mosque and plaza building area of 60,173 m2 and a Minaret area of 427 m2. In addition, there are also commercial buildings of 2,212 m2 (2 floors), and supporting buildings of 727 m2 (1 floor).
The National Mosque is equipped with parking facilities that support the needs of visitors, including 4 special VVIP lots, 1 lot for the disabled. In addition, there are also 5 parking lots for buses, as well as on the LG floor in the courtyard area with a capacity of 64 parking lots.
Various development progress and targets in the IKN as the new capital city remain the main priority of President Prabowo’s government. This commitment needs to receive support and appreciation from all levels of society. This is because the IKN provides great hope for the welfare of the community and the progress of the surrounding areas. The government’s efforts will also accelerate the distribution of national development.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
