September 10, 2024
JAKARTA – Outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is scheduled to spend the remainder of his term in office in the country’s future new capital in Nusantara, in the jungles of East Kalimantan.
Presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi told reporters on Monday that construction of the main presidential palace in Nusantara had been completed and that would allow the President to occupy the new premises up until he wrapped up his term in late October.
“The Garuda Palace is ready so it’s only natural for the President to work inside it before he passes on the leadership of the government to the next leader. The palace is his legacy,” Hasan said as quoted by Antara, referring to the presidential compound flanked by the giant steel eagle structure designed by sculpture artist Nyoman Nuarta.
President Jokowi is scheduled to stay in Nusantara from Sept. 11 to Oct. 19, one day before the inauguration of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
The Presidential Palace said that Jokowi would continue making working visits to the country’s interior regions while he is staying in Nusantara.
A plan is also afoot to allow for Vice President Ma’ruf Amin to take up some ceremonial duties in the last days of Jokowi’s presidency.
Hasan however did not rule out the possibility of Jokowi making changes in the cabinet line-up during the last month of his presidency.
“The vacant cabinet positions can be temporarily filled or on a permanent basis,” Hasan said.