Flying cars or pie in the sky: Indonesia’s dreams for new capital Nusantara called ‘too ambitious’

Nusantara is scheduled to be inaugurated in 2024, when Indonesia celebrates its 79th anniversary of Independence on Aug 17. PHOTO: REUTERS
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

JAKARTA – Nusantara Capital City (IKN) is a megaproject of unrestrained ambition, as the planners of Indonesia’s future capital envision facilities straight out of science fiction, from smart buildings powered by renewables to flying cars.

But questions about how realistic such plans are grow louder by the day as the inauguration deadline nears for what some say might be the single biggest contributor to President Joko Widodo’s legacy.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.