Fate of IKN After Constitutional Court Rules Jakarta Remains Indonesia's Capital
The Nusantara Capital City Authority has assured that all development agendas in the new capital candidate area are proceeding according to plan, following a Constitutional Court ruling that Jakarta remains the nation’s capital. The authority stated that the Nusantara development project continues to move forward with support from various funding sources, including the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) schemes, and private investment. The authority stressed that there has been no project suspension or change in development direction due to the court’s decision.
OIKN Spokesperson Troy Pantouw said the construction process of Nusantara is ongoing across various sectors. According to him, the perception that the IKN project has halted or stalled does not reflect conditions on the ground. "Everything is rolling at this moment, meaning the development process continues to move. There is no such thing as stopped, stagnant, or abandoned. These are dictions that must be corrected by everyone," Pantouw stated during the Inauguration of the East Kalimantan Press Companies Union Management for the 2025-2029 Period and Strategic Media Dialogue at Grand Tjokro Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
In his presentation, Pantouw reiterated the broader direction of Nusantara’s development through the Nusantara Economic Superhub concept. He emphasised that the Nusantara Capital City is being built not only as an administrative centre but also as a new growth hub connected to surrounding areas in East Kalimantan. "The Nusantara Economic Superhub is the economic development direction of IKN that connects strategic clusters to create innovative new growth. The goal of the Nusantara Capital City is to become a new economic growth centre in Indonesia," he said.
The development of Nusantara is currently taking place not only in the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) but is also directed across nine planning zones. These cover administrative centres, economic and business hubs, health, renewable energy, entertainment zones, education, research and innovation centres, and the food industry. This approach simultaneously opens avenues for collaboration with Balikpapan, North Penajam Paser, Samarinda, and various other areas in East Kalimantan.
During the forum, Pantouw also conveyed a number of developments that have been progressing in the Nusantara area, from road access construction, health facilities, banking clusters, educational institutions, places of worship, to the arrangement of the Sepaku area. He affirmed that the IKN Authority is committed to continuously strengthening social, cultural, and MSME aspects, environmental management, as well as various support services for the community.
In a discussion and question-and-answer session, Pantouw responded to various participant queries, including regarding the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the IKN Law and the Jakarta Special Region Law. He said the ruling does not invalidate IKN’s existence as a candidate for the national capital, but rather confirms that the capital relocation process remains within the applicable legal framework. He explained that in accordance with statutory provisions, the official relocation of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara only takes effect after the issuance of a Presidential Decree. Thus, Jakarta’s status as the national capital remains valid until such a decision is issued by the government. "Through this forum, we really need a narrative of tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This means what is conveyed must be the true facts. The fact today is that IKN continues to progress and continues to be built," he concluded.