Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesia marked its 79th Independence Day on Saturday with a ceremony held in the under-construction future capital of Nusantara. Originally intended to inaugurate Nusantara as the new capital, the celebration was scaled down due to construction delays. Hundreds of officials and guests, dressed in traditional Indonesian attire, gathered at the partially completed site amidst construction cranes.

President Joko Widodo and his Cabinet attended the ceremony at the new Presidential Palace, designed in the shape of the Garuda, Indonesia’s mythical eagle-winged protector. Despite initial plans to invite 8,000 guests, the number was reduced to 1,300 due to insufficient infrastructure. The celebration also took place simultaneously at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin present.

Jakarta, Indonesia's current capital, faces severe issues including flooding, congestion, and pollution, contributing to its rapid subsidence. Construction of Nusantara began in mid-2022 and aims to be a sustainable, green city with advanced infrastructure. However, the project has faced criticism for environmental degradation and displacement of Indigenous communities.

The $33 billion project is funded by a mix of government and private investments, with the government contributing 20% and the remainder coming from Indonesian companies. To attract investors, the government has offered long-term land rights and tax incentives. Widodo, who has been in office for a decade, will leave office in October, casting uncertainty on the project’s future progress.