Former Jokowi Minister Visits IKN and Sees It Firsthand, Response Is Unexpected
Head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority (IKN), Basuki Hadimuljono, and his staff received a visit from Suharso Monoarfa, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) for the 2019-2024 period, at the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) Nusantara on Thursday (20/08/2026).
In his remarks, Basuki outlined the development of a number of infrastructure projects in the area, including retention ponds that form part of the sponge city concept at IKN. These ponds serve as water retention infrastructure to collect, manage, and utilise water in the Nusantara area.
“Welcome to everyone, sugeng rawuh. We are ready to accompany you on this visit. We have 32 retention ponds that are already complete and functioning, with water drawn from them to water plants. In 2026 we are starting construction on 24 more ponds, bringing the total to 54, one of which will serve as an aesthetic feature of the city,” said Basuki.
The visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand the progress of IKN development, including the basic concepts of Nusantara as a forest city, sponge city, and smart city. The itinerary also included a review of various strategic projects in KIPP Nusantara, one of which was SMA Taruna Nusantara IKN Campus.
Suharso said his visit to IKN was driven by a desire to see firsthand the consistency of Nusantara’s development. In his view, the sustainability of IKN development is important so that the original concept that was designed is maintained during implementation.
“First, I wanted to witness the consistency of IKN development, because whatever happens, this is a legacy of the nation. Therefore, the sustainability of this development is important. I want to follow it and witness it up close, especially with the attributes we have attached to IKN as a smart city and a sponge city, that these principles are still being upheld and maintained,” he said.
During his visit, Suharso also stressed the importance of domestic investors having the courage to look at development opportunities in IKN. In his view, Nusantara’s development has significant economic driving force and can form a new growth centre for Indonesia.
“After what I have witnessed, the progress is quite encouraging. Therefore, I think domestic investors should be brave enough to look here. I have seen several names already present here. If foreign investors are brave enough, why should those at home not be?” he said.
Suharso added that IKN development has the potential to form a new centre of economic activity. Given the large scale of development, Nusantara is considered capable of becoming one of the engines of growth for Indonesia.
“I stand by my conviction and our calculations, which can be proven academically, that something new, especially with a magnitude as large as this, will form a new economic crowd and can become an engine of growth for Indonesia,” he concluded.