President Jokowi Observes Location for New Capital City

President Jokowi and his entourage visit Bukit Soeharto, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (7/5). (Photo by: Anggun/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his entourage visited an alternative location for the new Indonesia’s capital, namely, Bukit Soeharto (Soeharto Hill), Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (7/5).

President Jokowi told the journalists in the location that the great vision to move the capital city can be traced back to the Administration of President Soekarno and his successors.

“We need to set our vision. We want this great country to have seat of government separated from the center of economy, business, trade, (and) services. We will step forward to be a developed country,” the President stated.

He also stated that there are few locations being studied for the last 1.5 years. One of them is Bukit Soeharto.

“This location is quite strategic. It is in the middle of the Samarinda-Balikpapan Toll Road,” the President said, adding that both cities have airports, as well as ports, so there will be a lot of money saved.

Meanwhile, the President also demanded that the study on prospective new locations for capital city should not only include an infrastructure but also sociological aspect, socio-political aspect, environmental aspect, water supply and disaster risk.

President Jokowi went on to say that the calculation of each location is still ongoing. But, specifically, he considered that the facilities in East Kalimantan are quite reliable, especially the airport, and the soon-to-be-ready toll road.

He stressed that there were three alternative locations for the relocation of the capital city. One of them is Bukit Soeharto. He will also review the remaining locations.

According to the President, after his working visit, there will be field teams to conduct more detailed studies.

“The (relocation) must be very well-planned.” the President said, adding that all fiscal policy regarding the capital city relocation will be decided carefully to avoid unnecessary fiscal burden.

During the visit, the Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan Hadi Mulyadi and the Head of the East Kalimantan Regional Development Planning Agency Zairin Zain provided explanations about the location to President Jokowi and his entourage. (UN/GUN/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Ridwan Ibadurrohman, Yuyu Mulyani