Indonesia’s plans to build a new capital city from scratch have been hit by the unexpected resignation of the two top officials overseeing the project.
Bambang Susantono and his deputy Dhony Rahajoe both quit their roles at the Nusantara Capital City Authority on Monday, outlets including Reuters reported.
State Secretary Pratikno said President Joko Widodo had received Susantono’s resignation, Asia News Network reported.
They’re expected to be temporarily replaced by two ministers from Widodo’s government until permanent appointments are made.
Widodo said on Instagram that work on Nusantara would proceed “according to the shared vision,” the South China Morning Post reported.
However, the resignations could be a setback for the new city being built on Borneo’s eastern coast.
Indonesia’s capital and largest city, Jakarta, faces flood risks due to rising sea levels, so Widodo’s administration decided to build a replacement.
Nusantara will cost an estimated $35 billion and won’t be finished until 2045. However, about 6,000 government workers are expected to move there in time for the new president’s inauguration in October.
Indonesia’s government has recruited high-profile figures, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to promote the project.
It’s also tapped up influencers, with Widodo taking dozens of social media stars on a tour last year in a bid to address concerns about deforestation.
There are also rising concerns about how Nusantara will be funded. The Indonesian government has only committed to covering about 20% of the cost, and it’s struggled to find other sources of cash. In March 2022, Japan’s SoftBank pulled out of investing in the project.
Neither Susantono nor Rahajoe immediately responded to requests for comment from Reuters or Business Insider.
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