Indonesia's Civil Servant Relocation to Nusantara Faces Delays

Government Restructuring Causes Implementation Challenges

The planned relocation of Indonesian civil servants (ASN) to the new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, is experiencing significant delays. The postponement follows substantial changes in the government structure under the new Cabinet Merah Putih. Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB), Rini Widyantini, revealed that a comprehensive re-screening process is currently underway to reassess ASN deployment in light of the expanded cabinet.

Key Factors Contributing to the Delay

1. Expansion of Ministries: The number of ministries has increased from 34 to 48 under President Prabowo Subianto's administration
2. Revised ASN Requirements: The change in government structure necessitates a thorough review of ASN deployment needs
3. Infrastructure Planning: The Otorita IKN must align with the revised ASN requirements and infrastructure development plans

Government's Revised Timeline and Projections

Despite the current delays, Minister Rini emphasized that the government remains committed to meeting President Prabowo Subianto's target of having ASN support the new capital's functions by 2028. The 2025 State Budget Work Plan (RKP) estimates that by 2029, there will be approximately 9,500 ASN stationed in Nusantara. The ministry is currently working on revising the relocation roadmap and staging to meet this target.

Challenges and Coordination Efforts

The re-screening process involves not only identifying the number of ASN to be relocated but also determining the specific requirements of various government agencies in the new capital. Rini highlighted the need for close coordination between her ministry and the IKN Authority to ensure that infrastructure development aligns with ASN deployment needs. The government faces the challenge of balancing the ambitious timeline with the practical aspects of relocating a large number of civil servants.