Why Prabowo Designated Nusantara as Indonesia's Political Capital in 2028

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September 23, 2025 | 03:44 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi explained President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to designate Nusantara Capital (IKN) in Penajem Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, as Indonesia’s political capital starting in 2028.

According to him, the move is meant to ensure that by that year, Nusantara will already have functioning facilities for the country’s main branches of government.

“This means that within three years, we expect the facilities for the executive, legislative, and judiciary to be completed,” Prasetyo said at the Parliamentary Complex of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

The Gerindra Party politician stressed that Prabowo’s administration remains committed to continuing IKN’s development. By 2028, he said, Nusantara is expected to host offices and facilities for key state institutions, including the People’s Consultative Assembly, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, and the Judicial Commission.

“If only the executive branch moved, then who would they hold meetings with?” he added, underlining the importance of ensuring all trias politica institutions are accommodated in Nusantara.

Prasetyo clarified that the designation of Nusantara as the political capital does not imply a separation between Indonesia’s political and economic centers.

“It doesn’t mean one city will be the political capital and another the economic capital,” he said.

He also emphasized that the term “political capital” does not alter the fundamental meaning of Nusantara as Indonesia’s new national capital.

The plan, he reminded, has remained consistent since it was first initiated during the administration of the 7th president, Joko Widodo, to relocate the capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.

In fact, Indonesian regulations do not formally recognize the term “political capital.” Law No. 21 of 2023 on the State Capital refers only to the function of Nusantara as the seat of government, as outlined in Article 12 paragraph (1), with no mention of a “political capital.”

President Prabowo formalized the designation through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 79 of 2025 on the Update of the 2025 Government Work Plan (RKP), signed on June 30, 2025.

The regulation stipulates that the transfer of the government center to Nusantara will be carried out gradually, culminating in its full status as the nation’s political hub.

According to the document, the transition includes the development of the government core area (KIPP) and the relocation of civil servants (ASN). By 2028, the KIPP and its surroundings are targeted to cover 800-850 hectares, with 20 percent of office and government buildings completed.

The plan also aims for 50 percent completion of adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing; 50 percent readiness of basic infrastructure and public facilities; and an accessibility and connectivity index of 0.74 for the area.

To reach these targets, the government is expediting spatial planning for the core zone, building offices, housing, and supporting facilities, as well as constructing transport infrastructure to improve connectivity between Nusantara and surrounding regions.

Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.

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