JAKARTA, Aug. 12, 2025 — A stark warning has emerged from Indonesia’s legislative body regarding the ambitious relocation of the nation’s capital, urging a comprehensive review of the plan to move from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.
A lawmaker is calling for a deep dive into the feasibility of the new capital, citing potential logistical and financial burdens on citizens.
- A member of the House of Representatives Commission VII is advocating for an evaluation of the Nusantara capital relocation plan.
- The lawmaker highlighted concerns about transportation infrastructure and the potential cost to citizens.
- Jakarta’s current capacity to handle approximately 10 million visitors annually via various transport modes was contrasted with the projected needs for Nusantara.
- The affordability and availability of air and sea travel to the new capital were specifically questioned.
Lawmaker Cites Transportation Costs and Capacity
The proposal for a review comes from Bambang Haryo Soekartono, a member of House of Representatives Commission VII, who stressed the importance of ensuring Nusantara can effectively function as the nation’s capital and government center. Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, Soekartono, widely known as BHS, pointed to the critical issue of accommodating citizens.
Jakarta, he noted, serves as a hub for around 10 million people, supported by robust transportation networks that allow for easy movement, including on foot. However, the transition to Nusantara presents a different challenge.
“If the capital city is transferred to IKN in East Kalimantan, there will be an accommodation adjustment used by the community,” Soekartono stated. He elaborated that individuals wishing to access government functions and major businesses in the new capital would likely depend on air and sea travel.
Soekartono projected that if 2 million people were to travel to Nusantara using air transport at an estimated Rp1.5 million per trip, the daily cost for transportation alone could reach Rp3 trillion. This figure, he emphasized, excludes accommodation expenses, potentially costing citizens trillions annually just to access the new capital.
“This is the burden and sacrifice of the people due to policies if the capital and government center are moved to Kalimantan,” he said, underscoring the potential financial strain on the population.
Infrastructure Gaps Highlighted
Beyond the direct costs to individuals, Soekartono raised significant concerns about the existing air transportation infrastructure in East Kalimantan. He described Sultan Aji Airport in Balikpapan as having limited capacity, able to accommodate only 30 aircraft parking stands. Additionally, he pointed out that the IKN Airport itself has a small capacity, estimated to handle just 600 passengers per day.
He questioned how residents from other regions, including Sumatra, Sulawesi, Bali, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), would be accommodated and what transportation options would be available to them, urging a thorough study of these aspects.
Soekartono concluded by stressing that the public should not face undue complications from the new capital city plans. He urged the government to conduct a meticulous evaluation and make well-considered decisions to prevent the populace from bearing the brunt of development for IKN.
