Indonesia marks first Independence Day in unfinished new capital

Indonesia's unfinished new capital marked its inaugural Independence Day on Saturday with a flag-raising ceremony amidst a backdrop of cranes and dusty construction sites.

Located in the forested eastern part of Borneo, the new city, called Nusantara, is envisioned as a sustainable, high-tech alternative to the overcrowded and polluted Jakarta.

While some government buildings are nearing completion, much of the essential infrastructure remains unfinished.

Outgoing President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, led the ceremony, along with President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who is due to assume office in October.

A separate ceremony was held in Jakarta, led by Vice-President Maruf Amin and vice-president elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The ambitious $32 billion project has faced numerous challenges, including delays, land acquisition issues, and a lack of enthusiasm from foreign investors.

Critics have labelled it a "white elephant" as Jokowi strives to create a lasting legacy, while environmentalists warn of potential ecological disaster.

Jokowi has urged caution regarding the relocation of civil servants to Nusantara.

An initial group of about 1,700 government workers is scheduled to move in September, but the full transition may take longer, officials said.

The relocation involves the construction of 47 residential towers for civil servants, with 21 already completed. A three-phase strategy is in place, including a recruitment drive with over 40,000 positions earmarked for central government institutions in Nusantara.