The Authoritarian Character of the IKN Project

The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) project, overseen by the IKN Authority, is facing significant challenges. Chair Basuki Hadimuljono revealed in an interview with Tempo that the project initially required "very strong political pushes" to keep it moving forward. This indicates the authoritarian nature of the project, where major decisions are made from the top down based on the belief that the state can shape society towards goals set by those in power.

The relocation of a capital city typically requires strong, well-founded reasons such as reducing congestion, promoting more equitable development, or separating the administrative center from the business hub. However, the reasons for relocating Indonesia’s capital have not been compelling enough to build strong public legitimacy. Instead, the project was fast-tracked by President Joko Widodo following his re-election in 2019, making it a political decision.

This situation is reminiscent of Myanmar’s capital relocation in 2005, which was also a top-down initiative and resulted in a dead city. In the case of IKN, the project is located 1,260 kilometers away and separated by sea from Jakarta, the economic, business, educational, media, and cultural center of Indonesia since the Dutch East Indies era.

Simply constructing buildings and roads is not enough to bring a city to life. The state has deployed 2,200 civil servants from various ministries and agencies to Nusantara, and is seeking additional personnel from 16 ministries and agencies.

However, civil servants are showing considerable resistance to relocating to the new capital in East Kalimantan. Surveys have revealed high levels of reluctance among those considering a move. To encourage employees to live in the new capital, the government is providing pioneer allowances and covering transportation costs for domestic helpers, children, and spouses. In essence, the state is not only constructing a city, but also paying civil servants to reside there.

Over Rp100 trillion has been spent on IKN, which represents more than 20 percent of the planned Rp460 trillion cost of developing IKN through 2045. Yet, Nusantara remains far from completion. While the state may be able to force the construction of a city, it struggles to keep it alive without sufficient financial resources.