The government plans to locate the new capital in the golden triangle of Central Kalimantan (Gunung Mas, Katingan Wards and Palangka Raya City) (Image credit: Indonesia Tourism)

From Jakarta to Central Borneo, Indonesia government to conduct an in-depth study on moving the capital city

On Monday, a spokesman of the House of Representative’s Commission XI Michael Jeno said the government would like to have a better understanding about the new capital city of Indonesia, Central Borneo (Central Kalimantan).

The House of Representatives reportedly will conduct an in-depth study on the plan to shift the capital city by making a working visit to the province.

The working visit aims to discuss on inflation and economic growth in depth, said Jeno. In addition, the government will focus on the preparation in moving the capital city, added the House of Representative’s spokesman.

As the candidate of Indonesia’s new capital city, the local government of Central Kalimantan said it has prepared the provision of land and other things related to the capital’s transfer. 300 to 500 thousand hectares land has been reserved by the government for the new capital, said the Regional Secretary of Central Kalimantan Fahrizal Fitri.

According to Fitri, the new capital will be located in the golden triangle of Central Kalimantan - Gunung Mas, Katingan Wards and Palangka Raya City.

Regarding the new capital, some people disagree with the plan since they argue it will damage Kalimantan’s preserved forests. However, the government assures the new capital will not disturb the forests because vacant land will be used for the new capital city.

Previously on April 2019, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, announced his plan to move out the country’s capital city, Jakarta. Currently, Jakarta is one of the most crowded towns in Java island with over 10 million people.

Jokowi wanted the new capital will be outside Java Island since he promised to make economic development in Indonesia more evenly. Java-centris will no longer exist since it is time for Indonesia-centris, according to Jokowi.

According to Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, economic activities were centralized in Java island with 260 million people live in Java, which is 60 percent of Indonesia population.

Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/130026/the-house-reviews-plan-to-move-capital-city-to-central-kalimantan