"The report says that the water has flowed in," he added after attending the Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) agenda here.
He said that his plan to start working in Nusantara on July 28, 2024, will depend on the readiness of his office, including furniture and other supporting facilities.
On the same day, he is scheduled to inaugurate a toll road in the new capital and monitor the city's development.
The President is then expected to chair the inaugural Cabinet meeting at Nusantara's Presidential Office. However, he emphasized that this would hinge on the readiness of facilities.
"When everything is ready (we can do it). But what if the chairs are not ready? How can we attend the Cabinet meeting while sitting on the floor?" Widodo said.
Although the date has been set for his first day in Nusantara, Widodo affirmed that he will not proceed if his presence in the new capital would be detrimental to the construction development.
"We will not push if it causes the decline of the interior and construction quality instead. I will only proceed if all are ready," he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Presidential Secretariat chief Heru Budi Hartono said that July 28 will be the President's first day of work in Nusantara.
Hartono informed that the government, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, is still preparing to complete work on the President's Office at IKN, including furniture installation.
However, he did not divulge whether President Widodo will continue to work at IKN or commute to Jakarta to run the government.
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Translator: Andi F/Rangga P, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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