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Indonesian President holds first cabinet meeting in future capital of Nusantara
Construction of the new city will cost at least $33bn and is being carved out of Borneo's jungle, putting indigenous people and endangered wildlife at risk
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (centre) talks to journalists accompanied by Indonesian Defence Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto (right) in the new capital city Nusantara in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, August 12, 2024
INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo held his first cabinet meeting in the future capital of Nusantara, amid miles of construction sites and doubts about the sustainability of the ambitious mega project.
Mr Widodo began working from the city two weeks ago, using an office inside the construction site of the massive new palace in the form of the mythical eagle-shaped Garuda, the symbol of the country.
The city is set to hold its first Indonesian Independence Day celebration in less than a week.
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