President Jokowi Inspects Prospective Locations for New Capital
President Jokowi takes pictures with the people after performing isha and taraweeh prayers at Darul Arqam Muhammadiyah Mosque, Palangka Raya, Tuesday (7/5). Photo by: Jay/PR.
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Tuesday (7/5) visited Central Kalimantan provincial capital Palangkaraya to inspect a number of prospective locations for Indonesian new capital.
“Tomorrow we will visit several locations, including Katingan, Gunung Mas, Palangka Raya, and, if time permits, Pulang Pisau,” the President told journalists after performing isha and taraweeh prayers at Darul Arqam Muhammadiyah Mosque, Palangkaraya, Tuesday (7/5).
President Jokowi explained that there are many aspects to consider in the plan to move the capital, including sociological aspects, environmental aspects, socio-political aspects, water supply, disaster risk management, and peat land. “We have a team that will check, review, and calculate the construction plan. I inspect the locations to avoid any mistake on policy decisions,” he said.
For the record, before visiting the Central Kalimantan provincial capital, the President inspected another prospective location for new capital city, namely Bukit Soeharto in Kutai Kartanegara in neighboring East Kalimantan province.
According to the President, Bukit Soeharto offers several advantages since it is located between two cities, supported by an airport, and connected by toll roads. However, there are many other aspects to take into account in the capital relocation plan, including distance from coastal areas, water supply and topography, he added.
In addition to East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan provinces, the President added that there are several other prospective locations in other provinces for the new capital that he is going to inspect next week.
President Jokowi further said that after all the preliminary process is completed, the Government will immediately decide on the new location for the new capital after consulting with the House of Representatives (DPR).
For the record, President Jokowi has decided to push ahead with his plan to move the capital from Jakarta and to build a new center of government outside Java, citing the need to ensure more equitable development and address overpopulation in Java. The relocation of Indonesias capital itself has actually been discussed since the era of President Sukarno, who had proposed Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan as the new capital city. (RSF/JAY/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Ersan Pamungkas
