Depok (14/05/2026) – The Constitutional Court has officially determined that the Special Capital Region of Jakarta still holds the status as the Capital of the Republic of Indonesia. This decision dismisses concerns about a legal vacuum amid the transition process towards the Archipelago Capital, whose construction is still ongoing.

The Constitutional Court’s Decision Number 71/PUU-XXIV/2026, read by the Chief Justice on Tuesday (12/5), emphasizes that the de jure relocation of the capital is highly dependent on the issuance of a Presidential Decree.

Welcoming the Constitutional Court’s Decision: No Legal Vacuum

A Deputy Chairperson of Commission V of the House of Representatives welcomed the ruling. He considers the Court’s firmness to provide certainty for the administration of the state.

  • Constitutional Status: The Deputy Chairperson emphasized that the Special Region of Jakarta remains the capital even though Law Number 3/2022 has been enacted.

  • Presidential Decree Requirement: According to the Court’s view, the legal force of the capital relocation only begins when the President issues a specific Presidential Decree regarding the move.

  • Synchronization of Regulations: The Court assessed that the interpretation of Article 2 paragraph (1) of Law Number 2 of 2024 must be understood in harmony with Article 73 of the same law to maintain the validity of government actions.

Progress of Capital Construction: Target for Legislative Area by 2030

Based on data from the Capital Authority, physical construction in Nusantara is currently entering a crucial transition phase.

  • First Phase Completed: The area for executive institutions has been declared finished as of April 2026.

  • Second Phase Begins: Currently, the construction focus has shifted to infrastructure for the judicial and legislative areas.

  • Estimated Completion: The target for completing infrastructure for legislative and judicial institutions is projected to be finished by the year 2030.

Budget Efficiency and Global Dynamics

Although hoping for construction to be completed on schedule, the Deputy Chairperson reminded of the global economic challenges that force the government to implement significant efficiency measures.

“We hope all parties understand if the government must shift budget priorities for urgent needs, such as maintaining economic growth, rupiah stability, and distributing social assistance to vulnerable groups,” he explained.

With this Constitutional Court decision, Jakarta will continue to function as the center of national government until the infrastructure in the new capital is truly ready and officially ratified through a decision by the head of state.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. Originally a small port town called Sunda Kelapa, it was renamed Jayakarta in the 16th century before becoming Batavia under Dutch colonial rule, serving as the center of the Dutch East Indies. Following Indonesian independence, it was renamed Jakarta and has since grown into a sprawling, bustling metropolis that blends historic colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers.

Archipelago Capital

The “Archipelago Capital” typically refers to Jakarta, Indonesia, a sprawling capital city located on the northwest coast of Java. Originally a small port named Sunda Kelapa, it was renamed Jayakarta in the 16th century, later becoming Batavia under Dutch colonial rule before gaining its modern name after Indonesian independence. Today, it serves as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural hub, though plans are underway to move the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Nusantara

Nusantara is the new capital city of Indonesia, currently under construction on the island of Borneo, set to replace Jakarta. The name, derived from Old Javanese meaning “archipelago,” reflects Indonesia’s identity as a nation of thousands of islands. The move, announced in 2019, aims to alleviate Jakarta’s severe overcrowding and environmental issues, while promoting more balanced development across the country.