Indonesia, the world’s largest island nation and the fourth most populous country has announced plans to move its capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo. As reported by the BBC, the new capital is set to be named Nusantara.
The current capital Jakarta, located on the island of Java has a population of over 10 million people and has long been plagued by issues of congestion, pollution, and flooding, as well as a lack of adequate infrastructure to support its rapidly growing population.
Reasons For The Move
The decision to move the capital to East Kalimantan is part of a larger plan to address these issues and to create a more sustainable and equitable future for the country. The government believes that moving the capital to a less densely populated area can reduce the strain on Jakarta’s resources and infrastructure, while also providing opportunities for economic development in a new and underdeveloped region of the country.
East Kalimantan, the proposed new location for the capital, is located on the island of Borneo, which is the third-largest island in the world and is known for its natural beauty, with lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. It is also home to a number of important mineral and oil reserves, which could provide a source of revenue for the new capital.
New Capital City
The government plans to build a new city from scratch in East Kalimantan, which will be designed to be sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The new city will be built to be energy efficient, with a focus on renewable energy sources, and will feature green spaces and parks to promote healthy living.
It will also have adequate infrastructure to support a growing population and be able to withstand natural disasters.
Addressing Inequalities
The move of the capital will also be an opportunity to address the issue of uneven development between Java and the rest of the country.
Java is the most populous island in Indonesia and has traditionally been the center of economic and political power, while the other islands have been left behind. By moving the capital to East Kalimantan, the government hopes to promote more equitable development throughout the country.
Controversies
The decision to move the capital has not been without controversy, however. There are concerns about the cost of the move, which is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
There are also concerns about the impact on the environment and the displacement of local communities. The government has stated that it will take these concerns into account as it moves forward with the plan.
In addition, according to Nikkei Asia, the name of the new capital itself ‘Nusantara’ has been problematic for some:
“Since a long time ago ‘Nusantara’ means the whole of Indonesia. If you use it as the name of the capital, it sounds a bit odd to me,” said one Twitter tweet.
In conclusion, the decision to move the capital of Indonesia from Jakarta to East Kalimantan is a bold and ambitious plan to address the growing issues of overpopulation and environmental degradation in Jakarta.
The move will also bring about a more sustainable and equitable future for the country. While there are controversies, the government has stated that it will take them into account as it moves forward with the plan.
What do you think of Indonesia’s new capital move? Let us know in the comments below!
I think the decision would be for the greater good of not just Java but of all the other islands in the country. The problem of overpopulation, which has been of utmost concern, would be positively addressed, as would the incessant flooding and the danger it poses to lives and properties.