Members of US Congress Visit Indonesia's Planned New Capital

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Five members of the United States (US) Congress will visit Indonesia's planned new capital on Borneo island on Thursday, April 13, an official confirmed.

"Yes, on Thursday, [we] will visit BOS [Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation] and ground zero [of IKN]," Deputy Head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) Dhony Rahajoe said at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Wednesday, April 12.

The deputy head said that the visit of the US Congressmen aimed at seeking potential cooperation projects.

“[We will discuss] the environment. They [the members of US Congress] also want to directly see which aspects can be collaborated with [Indonesia]," he said.

Also read: Indonesia’s New Capital Nusantara Facilities for Civil Servants to be Ready in 2024

On Wednesday, five members of the US Congress from the Democratic Party met Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Palace.

The Congress members were Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Lloyd Doggett, Representative Pramila Jayapal, and Representative Ilhan Omar.

"Today, they will fly to Kalimantan, and tomorrow, they will visit [Indonesia’s planned new capital] Nusantara," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday, April 12.

Furthermore, she revealed that the meeting discussed attempts to increase strategic partnerships between the United States and Indonesia.

"Because they see that Indonesia is a very important partner in the Southeast Asia region. Moreover, they said that ‘Indonesia is shining’ now,” she said.