Dayak Community Respects Constitutional Court Decision, Continues to Support Relocation of National Capital to East Kalimantan
The Dayak community across Kalimantan has stated that it remains supportive of the relocation of the Indonesian capital city to Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) district, Sepaku sub-district, East Kalimantan (East Kalimantan), which is currently undergoing massive construction.
The Chairman of the largest organization in East Kalimantan, namely the Dayak Kaltim Association (PDKT), Yulianus Henock Sumual, stated this to Media Indonesia on Sunday (17/5). He referred to the Constitutional Court’s (MK) decision rejecting the lawsuit against Law No. 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital. This reaffirms that Jakarta still holds the status of the capital city until the President issues a Presidential Decree (Keppres) for the official relocation.
“A lot of state money has been spent on building the National Capital in Sepaku, PPU. It would be a waste if we didn’t appreciate that and ended up with another abandoned project. We, the Dayak community of Kalimantan, have always supported having the National Capital in East Kalimantan, specifically in Sepaku,” said this member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD)/MPR RI for East Kalimantan.
Furthermore, he added that construction is already underway, including the presidential palace, vice-presidential palace, ministries, and even a legislative building for the House of Representatives (DPR), DPD, and MPR RI. Essentially, the people of Kalimantan have agreed and support having the National Capital there.
He explained that regarding the MK’s decision or the government’s decision, they will leave it to the government, but in principle, it has become a shared decision and must be followed, essentially according to regulations.
“The MK’s decision or the government’s decision means we will leave it to them, but in principle, it has become a shared decision, and we must follow it. Essentially, it is according to regulations,” he said.
As a member of the DPD/MPR RI for East Kalimantan, he remains supportive of relocating the National Capital to East Kalimantan, but regarding its continuation, once again, the government or president has the authority.
“President Prabowo Subianto has the authority, so we will leave it to the president. If there is a cancellation and so on, that is their domain; we are not forcing it, but the government should not be inconsistent,” he said.
He added that the president has already made the decision, and there is even a presidential decree, which must be implemented and should not be changed. “Furthermore, a lot of state money has been spent on building the National Capital in Sepaku; it would be a waste if we didn’t appreciate it and ended up with another abandoned project. Once again, we hope that the IKN will remain on the island of Kalimantan, especially in East Kalimantan,” he said.
The MK officially rejected the request for a judicial review of Law No. 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital. In its decision, the MK affirmed that the current status of Indonesia’s capital city is still in Jakarta because the Presidential Decree regarding the official relocation to the Nusantara Capital has not been issued.
The Chairman of the MK, Suhartoyo, read out the decision on case number 71/PUU-XXIV/2026 during a hearing held at the MK Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday (12/5). The Court stated that all of the petitioner’s arguments were not legally justified.
“Rejecting the petitioner’s request in its entirety,” said Suhartoyo while reading out the ruling.
Constitutional Judge Guntur Hamzah explained in his legal considerations that, constitutionally, Jakarta still holds the status of the capital city as long as the legal framework for the relocation has not been established by the President.
“As long as the President’s decision regarding the relocation of the National Capital from the Special Capital Region Province of Jakarta to the Nusantara Capital has not been established, the National Capital will still be located in Jakarta,” said Guntur Hamzah.
The MK referred to Article 39 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 3 of 2022, which states that the functions and roles of the capital city remain with the DKI Jakarta Province until a Presidential Decree is issued.
In addition, the Court dismissed concerns about a legal vacuum after the issuance of Law No. 2 of 2024 concerning the Special Capital Region Province of Jakarta (DKJ). The MK believes that Law DKJ should be read in harmony with Article 73 of said law, which mandates that the new rules will only take effect after the President issues a decision on the relocation of the capital to the Nusantara Capital.
“The timing of the relocation of the National Capital to the Nusantara Capital depends on the issuance and implementation of the President’s decision,” he said.
The Special Staff for Public Communication/Spokesperson for the Nusantara Capital Authority, Troy Pantouw, said that they respect all constitutional processes that have taken place at the MK as part of the democratic mechanism and the rule of law in Indonesia.
He added that this decision by the MK further clarifies that the relocation of the National Capital to the Nusantara Capital will take effect after the issuance of a Presidential Decree as mandated in the legislation.
Currently, he said, the construction of the Nusantara Capital continues according to the stages set by the Government. The development of basic infrastructure, government areas, business ecosystems, and public services shows positive and consistent progress.
“We invite all parties to continue maintaining optimism, stability, and public trust in the development of the IKN as part of efforts to realize a more advanced, modern, and competitive Indonesia,” he concluded. (Z-2)
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