Indonesian President Joko Widodo, known to millions as Jokowi, has selected Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the man whom the NYT recently described as the Arab world's most powerful ruler, comparing him favorably to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince MbS, to chair the committee responsible for overseeing the construction of the capital.

Also joining the board: Former UK PM Tony Blair, and - get this - SoftBank Chairman and founder Masayoshi Son.

ndonesia is counting on a mix of private and state-owned entities to bear about 80% of the cost of building the capital, a "cost" that has been estimated at $34 billion. The city's precarious situation was highlighted again last week after a brutal monsoon flooded Jakarta and the surrounding area.