Faris Mokhtar, a Bloomberg government reporter based in Jakarta, discusses Indonesia's ambitious plan to build a new capital city, Nusantara, to alleviate Jakarta's overcrowding and pollution. He highlights the formidable challenges, including financial hurdles and skepticism surrounding the project. Mokhtar details the significant costs incurred—over $4.6 billion—and the lack of investor interest, which threatens the project's viability. The conversation delves into the implications for Southeast Asia's largest economy if Nusantara fails to materialize.

Faris Mokhtar from Bloomberg, an expert on Southeast Asian economies, dives into Indonesia's ambitious yet troubled capital project, Nusantara. He highlights Jakarta's unbearable overcrowding and pollution as the driving force behind the move. However, the project faces daunting challenges, including reluctance from civil servants and dwindling foreign investments. Mokhtar discusses the dire need for adequate funding and the potential consequences for Indonesia's economy if the plan falters. The future remains uncertain as skepticism grows.