Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated that the development of Nusantara Capital City is for the younger generation and the progress of the nation.

"This is the future smart forest city built for young Indonesians," he said in a statement released by his ministry here on Saturday.

Hadimuljono noted that the ministry has a duty of building basic infrastructure in Nusantara, such as roads, a drinking water system, sanitation, and garbage disposal.

"We are also building government offices, places of worship, the presidential office, the Presidential Palace, and others," the minister said.

Currently, he said, the ministry is prioritizing the construction of toll roads that connect Balikpapan to the Nusantara area in order to shorten the travel time between the two, which is currently about two hours, to only 30-45 minutes.

"The progress of the Nusantara development is around 40 percent. In 2024, I will be one of the first to come and live here. We must be excited because we are not only pursuing physical development but also quality. We will make sure the infrastructure is livable," he remarked.

According to Law No. 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital, Indonesia sets a target to rank among the top five strongest economies in the world and be a high-income country by 2045.

Based on the four main pillars of Indonesia's 2045 Vision, which are human development and mastery of science and technology, sustainable economic development, equitable development, and strengthening national resilience and governance, Indonesia sets a goal to become an advanced country by 2045.

The state capital relocation is one of the strategies to realize Indonesia's 2045 economic target. With the new capital, the government is seeking to realize more inclusive and equitable economic growth and accelerate development in eastern Indonesia.

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Translator: Aji C, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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