Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung on Wednesday reaffirmed that Jakarta remains Indonesia’s capital city even as President Prabowo Subianto pushes ahead with relocating the nation’s political center to Nusantara in East Kalimantan by 2028.

The transition was formalized under Presidential Regulation No. 79 of 2025, which updates the government’s work plan and designates Nusantara as Indonesia’s “political capital.” Pramono said the terminology signals a phased relocation, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches expected to move to Nusantara, while business activity and much of the bureaucracy will remain in Jakarta.

“Transforming the seat of government cannot be done all at once in 2028,” Pramono told participants of a National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) class at City Hall. “Jakarta still has a critical role, and we must prepare for this shift.”

Under a separate law passed in early 2024, Jakarta will retain its capital status while evolving into a global, inclusive city with Betawi (native Jakartans) culture as its core identity. Pramono said the city would integrate Betawi symbols into public spaces but stressed Jakarta’s multicultural character would remain intact.

This could mean that by 2028, Indonesia will effectively have two capitals with distinct roles. Jakarta will remain the country’s official capital under Law No. 2/2024 and continue serving as its economic, business, and cultural hub. At the same time, Nusantara has been designated as the political capital, where the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are expected to fully operate.

Pramono also underlined the need for social transformation to reduce inequality. Despite a declining Gini ratio, Pramono said both the country’s wealthiest taxpayers and many of its poorest residents live in Jakarta. “This gap is still very real, and addressing it must be part of Jakarta’s future,” he said.

On the economic front, Pramono urged Jakarta to reduce reliance on its Rp92 trillion ($5.9 billion) regional budget. “We cannot depend only on the regional budget. We must change our behavior and working methods to diversify sources of growth,” he said.

At the national level, officials have reinforced the rationale for Nusantara’s designation as the political capital. Presidential Staff Office Chief M. Qodari said a functional capital must host all three branches of government. “If there is only a presidential palace without legislative and judicial institutions, how can government function effectively? All three must be present in Nusantara,” he said.

The government has allocated Rp36.25 trillion for Nusantara in 2025, including Rp18.12 trillion for sustainable city development and Rp17.82 trillion for planning and relocation.