"The development is still ongoing, but I believe it is not progressing at the pace expected earlier," said Mohamad Hekal, Deputy Speaker of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR), on Thursday.
He noted that in his state address on August 15, Prabowo outlined eight key priorities for his administration: food security, energy security, education, health, defense, the Free Nutritious Meals program, the Red and White Village Cooperatives program, and improving Indonesia's investment climate.
Hekal added that while Nusantara was not included in the speech, the project would continue.
"Other programs will still receive funding, but the focus is now on the eight priorities," he said.
When presenting the 2026 Draft State Budget on August 15, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government plans to allocate around Rp6.3 trillion (US$385 million) for Nusantara's development next year, up from Rp4.7 trillion this year.
Under former president Joko Widodo, the government allocated Rp75.8 trillion for Nusantara between 2022 and 2024, with Rp43.3 trillion realized by the end of his term. Prabowo, meanwhile, has set aside Rp48.8 trillion to continue the project through 2029.
Despite the apparent slowdown, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to relocating the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.
On August 16, Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) head Basuki Hadimuljono said the project had entered Phase II, with construction of legislative and judicial zones expected to begin in October or November.
"We should not focus only on executive institutions, because legislative and judicial bodies are just as important," he said, noting that the work is expected to take 660 days.
Related news: Indonesia to build Nusantara's legislative, judicial zones in October
Related news: Nusantara designed to be global cultural hub: OIKN
Translator: Bayu S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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