Capital Relocation Won’t Damage Kalimantan Conservation Areas, Gov’t Says

Minister of PPN/ Head of Bappenas Bambang Brodjonegoto accompanied by Minister of ATR Sofyan Jalil and Governor of East Kalimantan Isran Noor responds to reporters’ questions after a press conference on capital relocation at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (26/8). (photo by:BPMI)

Relocation of Indonesian capital from Jakarta to part of North Penajam Paser regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara regency in East Kalimantan province will not damage conservation areas there, the Government has ensured.

In fact, the Government said it would continue to preserve the conservation area, including the Bukit Soeharto Conservation Forest, which was previously reported as the location of the new capital.

According to Minister of Development Planning (PPN)/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro, out of 180 thousand hectares of land acquired by the Government for the future capital, 40,000 hectares of it will first be developed as the city center.

“Half of 180 thousand hectares will be allocated as green space, including protected forests,” Bambang told reporters following the announcement made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo regarding location of the Indonesian capital at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (26/8).

The protected forests, Bambang added, will not be affected by the development and since some people still misuse the conservation forests and turn them into plantations, the Government will also rehabilitate the conservation areas and forests, including Bukit Soeharto Conservation Forest.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Governor of East Kalimantan province Isran Noor said that the people and provincial government of East Kalimantan are ready to host the new capital.

“We the people and regional government are ready. The provicial government will coordinate with mayors of Samarinda and Balikpapan, as well as regents of Kutai Kartanegara and Penajam Paser Utara,” Isran said.

The Governor also expressed belief that capital relocation will bring positive impacts, not only for East Kalimantan province, but also for the rest of provinces and regions in the island of Kalimantan.  Since the future capital is strategically located, provinces in central and eastern Indonesia will also enjoy the benefits, he added. (DNA/AGG/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas