Prabowo remains committed to Nusantara's development: Minister Antoni

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni expressed belief that President Prabowo Subianto is true to his commitment to continuing the development of the New Capital Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan Province.

Antoni made the statement in response to Prabowo not drawing attention to the development of Indonesia's future seat of government in his first presidential speech at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Sunday (October 20).

"Mr. Prabowo has a strong commitment to the development of IKN. He has repeatedly affirmed that he would continue and finish (the development)," he told the media ahead of his ministerial inauguration at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday.

When asked about the continuation of his role as acting deputy head of the IKN Authority (OIKN) alongside acting OIKN head Basuki Hadimuljono, Antoni noted that President Prabowo would announce his decision on that matter.

"Let us just wait for Mr. President's announcement. Thank you," he concluded.

At the palace, Prabowo inaugurated his "Red and White Cabinet" for the 2024-2029 executive term, inducting a total of 41 ministers, seven coordinating ministers, and five minister-level president's aides.

However, the new head of state of Indonesia has yet to touch upon the leadership of the OIKN.

Nusantara serves as a mega project of capital city relocation from Jakarta pioneered by Seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

While serving as defense minister under President Jokowi's Onward Indonesia Cabinet, Prabowo vowed to sustain the development of Nusantara once he took over state leadership alongside Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

"I have repeatedly said that I am determined to continue, and if possible, finish it (the city's development)," he remarked in Nusantara on August 12, 2024.

Speaking during an inspection of a retention basin in the city, Prabowo underlined that he would carry on Jokowi's historic initiatives and role in the development of the future capital city.