Inspecting Legal Policy and Institutional Continuity in Indonesia's Capital Relocation Agenda: Are the Processes Consistent?

The relocation of Indonesia’s Capital City (IKN) is a strategic national agenda marked by ongoing policy and regulatory shifts since the enactment of the Capital City Law and its amendments. These developments have triggered debates on policy direction, regulatory continuity, and political legitimacy amid changing administrations. In addition, this study aims to examine the policy and regulatory dynamics surrounding IKN’s relocation and assess how regulatory changes affect development continuity and governance in the new capital region. Hence, this study, using normative legal research, examines legal norms, policy documents, and evolving legal thought through statutory, historical, and conceptual approaches. The findings show that IKN’s long-term sustainability depends not only on political commitment but also on the quality of its regulatory framework, which is adaptive, coherent, and responsive to social, economic, and ecological dynamics. The regulatory changes to date underscore the need to strengthen public participation and risk-anticipation mechanisms to reinforce legitimacy and accountability. Ultimately, the study stresses the importance of building IKN regulations that support effective development while ensuring institutional continuity and public trust, enabling the capital relocation to proceed inclusively and sustainably.