The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), promised that the new capital will be "debt-free". (Image via Merdeka.com)

New capital, free of debt: Jokowi

The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), hinted that the foreign investment in the construction of the new capital of Indonesia is not in the form of a loan. Moreover, there is no government guarantee in the investment flow; hence, it is pure cooperation.

Jokowi’s statement came amid the public concern since the President offered the project of building on the new capital to the foreign investors.

Speaking at the State Palace on Friday, the former Governor of Jakarta said that the government is being mindful of the investment scheme to be taken. Nonetheless, regarding the cooperation scheme to build the new capital, Jokowi declined to reveal any further.

On the other hand, Jokowi said that the government does not give any remuneration to the international figures appointed as the board of directors for the construction of the new capital. While it seems heartless, Jokowi revealed that these figures already possess lucrative wealth. One of them is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed.

The total wealth of the Crown Prince reaches US$1.4 trillion! Therefore, Jokowi could not imagine how much should he pay the Crown Prince.

The only token of gratitude he could give will be a recognition to the figures for willing to be the board of directors for the new capital. Jokowi said that these international figures will be recorded in Indonesian history forever. More than that, there is no further benefit.

When being asked whether he wants to add more international figures, Jokowi declined. Currently, there are three international figures as the board of directors: CEO of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son; Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammad bin Zayed, and former Prime Minister of U.K, Tony Blair.

Drawn by the opportunity, SoftBank stated its interest to invest in the new capital, as revealed by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Padjaitan. Currently, Luhut and his team are still constructing the investment scheme, including the yield of the upcoming investment.

Source: https://bit.ly/2R5TSZ1