Indonesia's delayed new capital risks 'white elephant' status


This picture taken on August 16, 2025, shows the building of Swissotel Nusantara in Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), the planned new capital of Indonesia, East Kalimantan. - Photo: AFP

NUSANTARA, (Indonesia): A year after it was inaugurated, Indonesia's would-be new capital Nusantara attracts tourists and construction workers, but most of its architecturally arresting presidential palace and freshly built avenues sit silent.

The legacy project of former president Joko Widodo is battling a slashed budget, slowed construction and a deficit of interest from a new leader focused on social mega-projects.

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