Indonesia holds first Independence Day event in new capital

1,400 guests attend scaled-back event in Nusantara

Jokowi Independence Day.jpeg

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo attends the country's official Independence Day ceremony on Aug. 17 in Nusantara, the future capital. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)

ISMI DAMAYANTI and ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writers

NUSANTARA/BALIKPAPAN, Indonesia -- The government of Indonesia's plan to move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara reached a milestone Saturday, as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo for the first time led the country's Independence Day ceremony in the city emerging out of the Borneo jungle.

Jokowi officiated at the gathering to mark the 79th anniversary of Indonesian independence at the new State Palace in the center of Nusantara. The dark, eagle-like structure of the Garuda Palace, a landmark of the future capital based on the eponymous mythical bird, loomed behind.

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