GIM Chairman Supports Constitutional Court: DKI Jakarta Remains the National Capital

The Chairman of the Gerakan Indonesia Mandiri (GIM), Heikal Safar SH, supports the Constitutional Court’s (MK) decision to reject the material examination lawsuit against the Nusantara Capital (IKN) Law concerning Jakarta’s status. The MK judges rejected the lawsuit, thus DKI Jakarta retains its status as the national capital.

According to Heikal, MK Chief Justice Suhartoyo, in reading the decision, emphasised that Jakarta remains the national capital. He stated that the national capital status will remain in place until the President of the Republic of Indonesia issues a presidential decree (keppres) for the relocation of the national capital from Jakarta to IKN in East Kalimantan.

“Until now, the presidential decree for the capital relocation has not been issued, while the Special Region of Jakarta Province Law or UU DKJ has already removed Jakarta’s status as the capital; this must be discussed,” said Heikal in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

He also conveyed the key point of the definition of IKN as a special provincial-level regional government unit. Heikal noted that IKN, encompassing the North Penajam Paser Regency and Kutai Kartanegara Regency in East Kalimantan, is not the national capital. This requires further explanation.

“Certainly with the aim of replacing Jakarta as the administrative centre to create a modern, green, and just city, the Nusantara Capital often also refers to the concept of ‘National Capital’ in the context of Law Number 3 of 2022,” said Heikal.

He added that Jakarta’s current status is as Indonesia’s national capital, which remains valid until the relocation presidential decree is issued. “This means that in the context of the aforementioned application, the effective date of the national capital relocation to the Nusantara Capital depends on the determination and implementation of the presidential decision,” said Heikal.