The celebration is supposed to inaugurate Nusantara as the new capital of Indonesia, but this does not occur due to delays.
https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-widodo-new-capital-nusantara-43641d95d2d88caeda772c87dffc0f23
But why does Indonesia get a new capital?
Environmental and Infrastructure Issues in Jakarta
Jakarta, the old capital, is facing severe environmental and infrastructure challenges, including rapid land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and climate change. The city is one of the fastest sinking cities in the world, with some areas sinking by as much as 25cm per year. This has led to frequent flooding, especially in the northern parts of the city, and estimates suggest that large areas of Jakarta could be fully submerged by 2050.
Overpopulation and Congestion
Jakarta is highly congested, polluted, and overpopulated, with a population of around 10 million people and a greater metropolitan area of over 30 million. The city suffers from dire traffic congestion, air and groundwater pollution, and significant economic costs due to these issues.
Economic and Geographical Balance
The relocation aims to distribute economic activity and wealth more evenly throughout Indonesia, which has historically been concentrated on the island of Java. Moving the capital to Kalimantan is part of a strategy to reduce developmental inequality between Java and other islands in the Indonesian archipelago.
Sustainability and Modernization
The new capital, Nusantara, is envisioned as a "sustainable forest city" and a "green city" with a focus on environmental sustainability. It is planned to be carbon-neutral by 2045 and will incorporate modern infrastructure and green technologies, such as electric vehicles and clean energy.
Government and Administrative Reasons
The move also involves the relocation of government offices and administrative functions to a new, purpose-built city. This is intended to create a fresh start for the country's administrative center, away from the colonial-era government offices in Jakarta.
Overall, the relocation of Indonesia's capital to Nusantara is driven by a combination of environmental necessity, economic rebalancing, and the desire to create a modern, sustainable city that reflects the country's growing economic and geopolitical status. And you can imagine that the project is delayed and also heavily critized from outside and inside of Indonesia.
The example illustrates at least two Global Shadows