First phase of development at IKN reaches 62%
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Pembangunan Tahap Pertama di IKN Capai 62%
13 December 2023
By Euis Rita Hartati
Jakarta, ID – The progress of the first phase of development in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), which includes the presidential palace and office projects, has reached 62% and is expected to be fully completed in July 2024 or shortly ahead of the 79th Independence Day Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
The construction of the presidential palace and office also involved Rudy Dodo, a native Indonesian interior designer whose work can be viewed at the Apurva Kempinski Bali, the hotel that hosted the G20 Summit last year.
Public Works and People’s Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that discussions regarding the interior design of the presidential palace and office at IKN were carried out in great detail with President Jokowi, involving several architects, the PUPR Ministry, and Ridwan Kamil as curator of IKN development.
Although he did not mention a cost estimate, he also assured that the design of the presidential palace and office at IKN would showcase the Indonesian culture, unlike the colonial style of the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta. “This is Indonesia. Its name is the Nusantara Palace,” said Basuki.
It is known that the interior of the Presidential Palace and the Presidential Office at IKN are designed entirely using domestic products. Some of the materials used for the interior of the presidential palace and office, such as the floors, are specially designed by Yogyakarta craftspeople, while the lamps are copper carvings from Boyolali, Central Java.
The interior of the most important building at IKN also uses wood from Jepara and door handles from Cepogo, Boyolali.
“The interior design of this palace has been approved and signed by the President [Joko Widodo], so we can immediately work on its implementation,” said Basuki. However, he said, there are still several notes for the interior design of the Presidential Office at IKN so it still needs to be improved.
Meanwhile, former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said he had provided input to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the design of the Presidential Palace in Nusantara Capital City (IKN). Ridwan Kamil’s main message is not to let the palace at IKN have western elements.
“We are rich in sources of inspiration, so the palace should not be like this (while pointing to the shape of the pillars in the Central Jakarta palace complex). This is western culture, there is no story behind it, so to say,” said Ridwan Kamil.
Ridwan Kamil suggested that the Presidential Palace at IKN be decorated more dominantly with local ornaments. Folklore must be the main highlight, for example batik ornaments from all over the country, paintings, or ornaments that feature folklore.
“The Presidential Palace will exhibit our folktales, batik from all over the archipelago, decorations, fables ̶ all our folklore will be on display. So, it will be a showcase of our wealth in the form of architecture. I believe it will be most extraordinary,” said Ridwan Kamil.
“We will be extremely proud to have a place built by our own nation, presenting the variety of our diverse culture,” he continued.
He admitted that, currently, he was assigned directly by Jokowi to be the curator at IKN. His job is to evaluate the architecture of all infrastructure projects at IKN. “Yes, I was given the mandate as IKN curator. This means, on behalf of the president, [I will be] evaluating all the physical projects there. Okay,” concluded Ridwan Kamil.
Ridwan Kamil also emphasised that IKN will be a city built by multiple parties. According to him, IKN is not just a government project funded by the state budget (APBN).
As a proof, currently there are many investors that have expressed their interest to start participating in IKN development. Several investors have carried out groundbreaking for their projects since several months ago, and this month, the number will be growing.
“There are hotels, apartment buildings, residences. I think everything is progressing. So, to simply call it the State Budget’s project would be inaccurate,” said Ridwan Kamil.
So far, most of the projects that have started groundbreaking at IKN were built using funds from the investors themselves. This means that a lot of parties have great faith in IKN.
Next Article: ASDP operates Gilimanuk Dock IV
