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.

Retno said that the US delegates lauded Indonesia's success as the chair of the G20 Presidency in 2022.

Also read: Indonesia Allocates Over 10 Trillion Rupiah for New Capital Development This Year

"They also provided strong support for Indonesia's chairmanships in ASEAN throughout this year," she said.

In addition, President Jokowi and the Congress members spoke about environmental and economic issues.

At the Palace on Wednesday, National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa reported to the president that the IKN construction work was 26 percent complete.

"Meanwhile, when the president visited the location [in February 2023], it [the development] was still 15 percent [complete]. Hopefully, it can be expedited," he said.

He also drew attention to the progress achieved in the establishment of clean water facilities, and dams, as well as housing for civil servants, military, and police personnel during the meeting.

Source: State News Antara