Prostitution Concerns Rise Near Indonesia‘s New Capital City, Nusantara

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s enterprising new capital city project, Nusantara, ⁤is facing unexpected social challenges as reports emerge of increased commercial sex work in the surrounding area. The burgeoning construction site and ⁢influx of workers‍ have created ​conditions that authorities are now grappling with, raising concerns about exploitation and public health.

The Emergence of a⁣ Red-light Zone

Nusantara Capital City, located in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, has become⁤ a destination for sex workers seeking higher earnings than those available in nearby cities.A 25-year-old sex worker, identified as‌ Sari, ⁣stated she now primarily seeks clients in Nusantara, shifting from previous work in ‌Balikpapan and Samarinda.She ⁢attributes this change to increased demand and higher rates ⁣offered in the‍ new capital region.

According to ​Sari, the majority of her clients are ​construction workers involved in building government facilities and essential⁢ infrastructure. There are also civil servants who stop by, she⁤ told Tempo magazine in its August 11-17, 2025⁢ edition. ⁤ The peak of her ⁢earnings, reaching Rp20 million monthly, coincided with the height of construction activity leading up to Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17, 2024.

Did You Know? Indonesia’s ‍decision to relocate its capital‍ from Jakarta⁣ to Nusantara is driven by a need to alleviate overcrowding and environmental ⁤pressures in Jakarta,​ and also to distribute economic progress more evenly across the archipelago [[1]].

Operational Dynamics and Online Platforms

Prostitution in the ‌Nusantara​ area operates around the clock, with sex workers receiving clients during ‍work hours and late into the night, often at hotels on the outskirts of the government center. The MiChat application has become a primary ⁢tool for facilitating transactions, with⁣ workers advertising services, photos, and locations. Initial rates begin at Rp300,000.

However, recent slowdowns in construction have impacted business. Sari reports a decrease in clients, now serving‍ a maximum of four compared to ten during peak periods, as⁣ the​ capital relocation project ‍faces evolving priorities.

Official Response and Internal Concerns

Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the IKN authority, ⁣publicly‌ denied widespread prostitution in the area, ‌stating, That’s not in IKN, but in Sepaku. This statement was made on july 8, 2025, at the Parliament Complex in⁣ Senayan, Jakarta.However, sources within Tempo magazine revealed that Hadimuljono, a‍ former Minister of Public ‍Works and Housing, privately⁤ expressed concern over the growing sex trade.

In mid-july 2025,⁣ the ‌IKN Authority convened a meeting with the Association of Sepaku Inn Entrepreneurs, attended by 40‌ inn owners. The meeting, led by Deputy of Development Control Thomas Umbu Pati and Deputy of Social Affairs Alimuddin, focused on ‍addressing the spread of prostitution. Pujiyana Hugo, owner ‌of Puncak IKN Inn, reported that inn owners were instructed to implement stricter guest rules and install surveillance cameras.

Pro Tip: Understanding the socio-economic factors driving this issue is crucial‌ for developing​ effective and lasting solutions.

Some inn owners voiced concerns that these⁣ regulations could ​negatively impact their ​businesses, arguing that sex workers and their clients contribute to ‍revenue, ⁢especially given the uncertainty ⁢surrounding the ⁤capital relocation project’s continuation.

Key Developments ​Timeline

What ⁢long-term strategies can be implemented to address the root causes of this issue and protect vulnerable workers?

How will the IKN ‌Authority balance​ economic development with social responsibility​ in the new capital city?

This is a developing story. ​We will continue to provide updates as more data ‍becomes⁤ available.

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