Constitutional Court Upholds Jakarta as Capital, PDIP Criticises IKN Maintenance Costs

The Constitutional Court (MK) has reaffirmed that Jakarta remains the nation’s capital after rejecting a judicial review of the State Capital Law (IKN). The ruling was met with criticism from the PDIP party, which argued that while IKN is not yet ready for use, the state is already being burdened with massive daily maintenance costs.

The Chairman of the PDIP Ethics Council, Komarudin Watubun, stated that facts on the ground show the centre of government remains in Jakarta. He noted that the capital’s status cannot truly be transferred as long as IKN is not fully prepared for occupancy.

“That is the fact. This is a regulatory matter prepared for the capital there. But de facto, today, the capital is in Jakarta and will remain in Jakarta if the site is not ready,” Watubun told journalists at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday.

Watubun also referenced the 7th President, Joko Widodo, who had previously operated from IKN. He suggested that the government should begin relocating state officials, including Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to ensure that the newly constructed buildings serve a purpose rather than merely becoming a maintenance burden.

“That is what should happen; ministers or the Vice President should begin working there (IKN) so that there is a benefit, rather than for the next few years, all those buildings requiring routine maintenance costs,” he said.

According to Watubante, the maintenance costs for IKN infrastructure have become a new concern for the state. He argued that the large-scale project did not initially account for the long-term impact on the national budget.

“That is indeed the problem, because the infrastructure development projects there require maintenance every month, every day. And where does that money come from? The state provides it. We created an ambitious project (IKN) that did not actually account for the negative side effects of that decision, but what can be done? All factions supported it at the time,” he added.

Previously, the Constitutional Court rejected the judicial review of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the State Capital. The decision was read during the session for Case Number 71/PUU-XXIV/2026, presided over by Chief Justice Suhartoyo.