Preparation for Capital City Relocation is Underway

President Jokowi engages in a conversation with Minister of National Development Planning /Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa before leading a limited meeting, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/1). (Photo by: Ibrahim/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivered seven directives during his introduction at a limited meeting on capital city relocation, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/1).

“First, I order issues related to supporting legislation and regulations to be addressed. Minister of National Development Planning /Head of the National Development Planning Agency told me that it is ready to be taken to the House of Representatives for finalization,” President Jokowi said.

The second point, the President added, is issues related to institutions. He ordered that they must be addressed so that works on capital city relocation can be carried out by the institution the Government has established, the Authority Body of Capital City.

“Third, on issues related to design. I guess we have grasped the primary concept of the design, at the same time the design can be revised and modified. I hope you all can give some inputs on the design, as well as to the transportation design,” he stated.

The President went on to say that public or mass transportation in the new capital city will use autonomous vehicles, and private transport will also use autonomous cars. “Therefore, for the design, I ask Minister of Transportation and Minister of Research (and Technology) to discuss about this matter and the preparation. If the infrastructure is well prepared, it can be designed to be able to adopt the use of electric and autonomous vehicles,” he added.

Also on that occasion, President Jokowi touched on the issue of  land. “We know that 256 thousands hectares of land is being prepared, adding that for research purpose there will be 410 thousands hectares, in total. We will use 56 hectares for the central, and will start the development at 5,000 hectares,” the President said adding that the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister/ Head of National Land Agency and Minister of Environment and Forestry should solve this matter and finalize it immediately so that architects, designers,and urban planners can start the work and complete the design.

Regarding the budgeting scheme, President Jokowi said that basic infrastructures will be developed by Ministry of Public Works. Meanwhile, Government’s clusters including palace and ministries’ offices, will be funded by the Government. Aside from that, the Government also initiates Public Private Partnership (PPP) or investment scheme.

“Thus, I expect all to make a detailed calculation on the budget to be spent by the Government. Nevertheless in my calculation, I think the Government will not spend more than Rp100 trillions,” he stated.

The seventh point is related to the environment. Since the concept of new capital city is ‘Nagara Rimba Nusa’, the forest and island hilltop, the country is obliged to improve the environment to make it better, to replant and rehabilitate damaged forests. The damaged conservation areas must also be rehabilitated.

The President also instructed Minister of the Environment and Forestry to prepare 100 hectares of plant nursery, for growing seeds, be it mangrove seeds or other plants and the 100 hectares of nursery is expected to grow more than 17 million seeds. (FID/EN)

Translated by :Rany Anjany
Reviewed by :Lulu Wuliarti