Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Water, electricity, and internet networks will be ready for use in the new capital Nusantara by the 79th Indonesia Independence anniversary ceremony on August 17, 2024.
"I have checked all. Water, electricity, and internet are ready," Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta on Wednesday.
Hadimuljono said that several buildings belonging to coordinating ministries in the capital will be available for officers attending the ceremony and other guests. As for accommodation, the 190-room Nusantara Hotel will also be ready to be used in August.
Additionally, the toll road to Nusantara, he said, has only reached up to Balang Island. Its construction was previously hampered by land acquisition issues. Furthermore, the construction of an airport with a 2,200-meter-long runway at the new capital is expected to be completed soon and be ready for use by August 17.
"The only problem there is rain. Last month, out of 30 days, only 8 days were sunny, the rest were rainy," he informed.
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Meanwhile, to prepare for the August 17 ceremony, the minister will temporarily stop outdoor construction activities in the new capital from August 10 to clear the roads. Earlier, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy confirmed that the 79th Indonesia Independence Day anniversary commemoration on August 17 will take place in the new national capital Nusantara, and the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
According to Effendy, the ceremony in Nusantara will be led directly by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), accompanied by President-elect Prabowo Subianto. Meanwhile, the Independence anniversary commemoration in Jakarta will be led by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, accompanied by Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.