TIMES JAZIRAH, JAKARTA – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is set to inaugurate a new toll road and inspect the preparations for the new capital city (IKN) in East Kalimantan (28/7/2024). Heru Budi Hartono, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, announced this during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"We are collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and the Presidential Secretariat to ensure all requirements are met for the President's office at IKN," Heru stated.

Heru explained that the Presidential Secretariat, in coordination with the Ministry of PUPR, is diligently preparing the necessary infrastructure for the President’s office in IKN, which includes furnishing the new office. "The procurement of tables, furniture, lamps, and chairs is currently underway," he added.

However, Heru did not specify whether President Jokowi would permanently relocate his office to IKN or if he would shuttle between Jakarta and the new capital for governance purposes.

In addition to setting up the President's office, the Secretariat is also finalizing preparations for the 79th Independence Day celebrations, which are planned to be held in both IKN and Jakarta.

"Our focus is on ensuring all the necessary infrastructure is in place for August 17. After July 28, the President may visit IKN several more times before Independence Day to oversee the preparations," Heru explained.

The detailed schedule of the Independence Day events will be disclosed in a press conference at the end of July. Preliminary plans for the 79th Independence Day include a national prayer session on August 1, 2024, followed by a series of events, including the presentation of state honors by the President on August 15, 2024.

Meanwhile, by the end of July 2024, the Sepaku Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) is expected to be fully operational, providing clean water to residences and buildings in Nusantara City, the new capital.

The water flow test is a crucial step in the operational readiness of SPAM Sepaku to supply clean water to Indonesia's new capital city. SPAM Sepaku includes a water treatment plant with a capacity of 300 liters per second, a 16-kilometer transmission pipeline, and a 22-kilometer distribution pipeline and reservoir.

This development marks a significant milestone in Indonesia's efforts to establish its new capital and is a testament to the ongoing progress in infrastructure and public service enhancement in IKN. President Jokowi has expressed his readiness to start working from IKN as soon as the preparations are completed. (*)