The IKN is still under construction, the Palace said that the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations will be held in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The question of where the commemoration ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia will be held has been answered. The government has confirmed that the 80th Anniversary ceremony will take place in Jakarta, not in the Nusantara Capital.

According to the government, the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia was held in Jakarta because the construction of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) is still underway.

This certainty was affirmed by Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro after a meeting at the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta, Thursday (17/7/2025). "The proclamation countdown ceremony will be held in Jakarta because the National Capital is still under construction, so we will focus on the development first," said Juri.

However, according to Juri, at the IKN there will still be a ceremony held by the IKN Authority (OIKN).

Previously, the Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, also mentioned the plan for the 80th Independence Day ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta. "The committee has been formed by the Minister of State Secretary. It is already in place, and the PCO is also part of that committee," he stated on Wednesday (16/7/2025).

President Prabowo Subianto, while still serving as Minister of Defense and accompanying President Joko Widodo at the 79th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia in the National Capital (IKN) on August 17, 2024, stated that the commemoration of Independence Proclamation would be held again in IKN. "God willing, it will be here again," he said when asked whether the ceremony for the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia would be held in IKN.

President Jokowi, at that time, entrusted the decision to Prabowo as the elected President. At that moment, Jokowi also hoped that the main ceremony for the Independence Day celebration would still be held in the IKN. However, when the time came, a different decision was made.

Bakir said the rationale for budget efficiency was more understandable than the ongoing development of the new capital city.

According to Bakir Ihsan, a Political Science lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UIN Jakarta, the reason for not holding the 80th anniversary celebration in the National Capital (IKN) due to ongoing construction is illogical. This is because last year the government already utilized IKN for the 79th anniversary celebration. "Last year, it was held there while the construction of IKN was still ongoing. So if the reason is still construction, it does not make sense," he said.

Bakir stated that the reason for budget efficiency is more understandable than the ongoing development of the IKN. "It can also be argued that it is more solemnly conducted in Jakarta because the President's office is located in Jakarta, given its historical background," he said.

Meanwhile, according to the Executive Director of The Indonesian Institute Center for Public Policy Research, Adinda Tenriangke Muchtar, the government's choice to hold the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day in Jakarta is not surprising. This also indicates that the National Capital City is not yet functional and there has been no significant progress there.

"Returning to Jakarta is certainly for practical and strategic reasons. But what about the development of the IKN? Because at international forums, the progress of our IKN is always questioned," said Adinda, Thursday.

According to him, the development of the National Capital City (IKN), which has already absorbed a large budget, would certainly be very wasteful if not completed. Furthermore, this will set a bad precedent in the international arena and demonstrate issues in the governance of Indonesia's public policy resources.

The return of Indonesian Independence Day celebrations to Jakarta, Adinda continued, also demonstrates the need for public communication regarding the current status of the capital city, including budgeting, physical progress, investments, and evaluations. "We must not let it become a ghost town with unclear returns," she added.

On the other hand, Adinda continued, it's understandable that President Prabowo prioritizes flagship programs as his own legacy, such as free nutritious meals, community schools, the Red and White cooperative, and Garuda schools. Meanwhile, the National Capital Project (IKN), although still a national strategic project (PSN), appears to be a lower priority.

As part of the series of celebrations for Indonesia's Independence Day, President Prabowo Subianto will launch the theme and official logo for the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's independence on Friday (18/7/2025). This launch will be conducted both in-person and online at the State Palace in Jakarta and will be broadcast nationally. The launch event will begin with the national anthem, Indonesia Raya.

The jury stated that at the event, an explanation regarding the meaning of the logo will be presented. The meaning of the logo will be conveyed to the ministries/agencies as well as the regional governments participating in this event online.

To promote the logo, the government will hold activities in the Car Free Day area on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin, Jakarta.

To socialize the logo, the government will hold activities in the Car Free Day area on Sudirman-Thamrin Street, Jakarta. During this event, various souvenirs and items themed around the celebration of Indonesia's Independence will be distributed to foster the spirit of nationalism among the community.

"In the event, President Prabowo will also urge all regional governments and the public to organize various creative activities to celebrate the commemoration of Independence Day," said Juri.