Indonesian leader starts working in new capital despite construction work and lack of facilities

PENAJAM PASER UTARA, Indonesia (AP) — Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo started work Monday from the new presidential palace in his country’s ambitious new capital, where he intends to spend the last few months of his presidency.

“Today I have started receiving officials for meetings here, in the president’s office,” Widodo told reporters at the new presidential palace, as authorities race to complete other key infrastructure projects in the future capital city of Nusantara before Independence Day celebrations next month. The capital, also known as IKN, is located in East Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo.

Widodo said his first agenda item on Monday was a meeting with executives of the Nusantara development authority. He is also scheduled to meet with provincial leaders.

To facilitate the move, the presidential secretariat is preparing all the necessary furniture for the presidential office, including tables, chairs and lighting, while the supply of clean water, electricity and internet is “all running well,” Widodo said.

“We came here to check the latest progress of the IKN, especially the construction of the palace, I see everything is still in process,” Widodo said, adding that there are thousands of workers racing to complete the infrastructure projects, and that “I don’t want our presence to hamper its development progress.”

He is optimistic that the new “Garuda Presidential Palace” will serve as the backdrop of the country’s independence day ceremony on Aug. 17.

Only one month is left before Nusantara is slated to hold its first ever Indonesia Independence Day celebration, which is also expected to be the official transfer of the capital city from Jakarta. Its relocation plan has come into question,