| Press Release |
It’s all aboard the IKN train! The message was clear at the 78th Indonesian Independence Day celebration held by the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei recently — Indonesia’s future capital city Ibu Kota Negara, is happening now and the city is open for business. The greenery depicting what the Indonesian government has been touting as an ‘eco-friendly’ infrastructure development was combines with video clips displaying the new capital’s design and on-going development, giving unique nuance and colour to this year’s celebrations at the Rizqun Hotel.
Around 300 guests were amazed by the IKN themed decorations, the choir from the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Embassy, music and six traditional dances from across the archipelago state were performed, including the striking Porem Bulkiyo from Java that portrays a roaming soldier’s patriotism of his beloved nation. High-ranking officials from Brunei, ambassadors and academics as well as Indonesian businessmen and representatives of Indonesian communities in Brunei also enjoyed various flavours of Indonesian regional cuisine, and were entertained with Indonesian tourism video shows. There were also door prizes ranging from kitchen utensils, food vouchers, accomodation in Bali, as well as flight tickets from Bandar Seri Begawan to Jakarta and Jakarta to Bali and Labuan Bajo.
Dr. Achmad Ubaedillah, Indonesians Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the significant progress of Indonesia-Brunei Darussalam bilateral relations, marked by increased meetings, mutual visits, and new commitments agreed in various fields. Ubaedillah also conveyed the latest information regarding the relocation process of Indonesia’s capital city from Jakarta to the Bornean area of Kalimantan, and invited the Brunei government and local businessmen to participate and invest in the development of IKN remarking at the diplomatic reception that he believes the “construction of the new capital will be mutually beneficial for Indonesia and Brunei where the capitals of both countries share the same island”. He also expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in Gaza, and conveyed President Joko Widodo’s call for the violence to stop immediately and to focus more on humanitarian efforts. Minister of Defence II Brunei Darussalam, Major General (Ret.) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof was present as the Guest of Honour, representing His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
