Location for New Capital Ideal for “Smart City” Concept: President Jokowi

President Jokowi talks to Governor of East Kalimantan Isran Noor when inspecting the Government Cluster (Point Zero) in Sepaku District, North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (17/12). Photo by: Agung/PR.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said that the prospective capital city located in North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, is ideal for smart city, compact city, and green city concepts.

“The landscape is very good. An architect or urban planner will be happy with hilly area like this,” President Jokowi told reporters after inspecting the Government Cluster (Point Zero) in Sepaku District, North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (17/12).

The President added that the Government is preparing land with a total area of ​​256,000 hectares for conservation zones and the new capital city.

The first phase of the construction will cover ​​5,600-hectare government cluster, parallel with the construction of health cluster, education cluster, research and innovation cluster and financial center. He added that the Government will also provide conservation areas around the capital.

President Jokowi went on to say that the Government is considering several options to oversee the capital, whether by appointing city manager or by establishing new Province. “It will be decided soon,” he said.

The President added that the Capital City Authority Agency (Badan Otoritas Ibu Kota – BOI) will be established at the end of this December or in early January next year. (UN/MAY/AGG)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti