Indonesia Celebrates Independence Day in Nusantara

Indonesia celebrated its 79th Independence Day on Saturday in the unfinished capital Nusantara, which aims to alleviate the pressures faced by Jakarta. The ceremony, attended by President Joko Widodo and various officials, was scaled down from an expected 8,000 guests to 1,300 due to inadequate infrastructure. Nusantara, designed as an eco-city with advanced technology, currently faces significant construction delays, with essential facilities not expected to be completed until 2045. The event highlighted the struggles of Jakarta, which is sinking and suffering from severe congestion and pollution, costing the economy an estimated $4.5 billion annually. Widodo's vision for Nusantara is to create a livable city adorned with greenery rather than concrete. The ongoing construction and environmental concerns have raised criticisms from various groups, including Indigenous communities and environmentalists.