President Jokowi: Capital Relocation to Reduce Jakarta Overwhelming Burdens

President Jokowi accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla and several ministries announces the site of new capital city, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (26/8). (Photo by: Agung/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted that capital relocation plan was initiated by his predecessors, including the First President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno.

“As a big nation which has gained independence since 74 years ago, Indonesia had never ever determined and designed its capital city,” President Jokowi said in a press conference on capital city relocation, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (26/8).

The President also explained that the current capital city must be relocated because Jakarta has received overwhelming burdens as the center of government administration, business, finance, trade and services, as well as (housing) the largest airport and seaport in Indonesia.

In addition, the burden of Java Island which is home for 54 percent of Indonesia’s population is also increasing as the island also generating 58 percent of Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product and serving as the country’s center for food security. Other cities in Java Island also cannot be chosen as the future administrative capital or the island’s burden will be more overwhelming.

President Jokowi added the city also has suffered from the problems of traffic congestion, overcrowding, widespread air and water pollution that must be addressed.

“Provincial Government of Special Region of Jakarta is not at fault, since it is due to overwhelming economic burden of Java Island in general and Jakarta in particular, and increasing economic inequality between Java Island and other islands,” he added.

For that reason, after conducting in-depth studies in the past three years, the Government has decided the most ideal place for the future administrative capital city is in part of North Penajam Paser Regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara Regency in East Kalimantan Province.

The President firmly said that capital relocation is not the only measure taken by the Government to reduce inequality between Java and other regions; the Government will also develop natural resources-based industries outside Java Island.

The Head of State also ensured that Jakarta will remain to be developed as center of business, finance, trade and service on national and global scales. Provincial Government of Jakarta will also conduct urban regeneration which took budget amounting to Rp571 trillion.

Accompanying President Jokowi in the occasion were, among others, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Development Planning (PPN)/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning (ATR)/ Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan Jalil, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Governor of East Kalimantan Isran Noor, and Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan. (UN/DNA/AGG/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Mia Medyana Bonaedy