The Indonesian parliament has approved a bill to move the capital from Jakarta. Jakarta has many problems that have forced Indonesian officials to transfer the money. With a population of more than 10 million, Jakarta struggles with groundwater abstraction, heavy traffic, and air pollution. Being on a swampy bed on the Big Island of Java and flooding the city is another problem that has caused the transfer of the capital to vote.

 

The Indonesian government hopes that building a new capital in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo can ease some of the pressure on this populous city; While making administrative and political affairs easier to handle. The idea of building a new capital 1,300 kilometers from the island of Borneo was first mooted in 2019 before it was finally approved by parliament. For the new capital, the name Nusantara has been chosen, which in the Javanese language means archipelago. The Indonesian president has selected the name, calling it a “symbolic choice” that “reflects Indonesia’s geography internationally.”

 

However, critics say such a name might be confusing given the country’s geographical location and environmental factors. According to them, Nusantara is an old term generally used to refer to the archipelago in Indonesia. According to the latest census, East Kalimantan has a population of 3.7 million. The city is rich in mineral resources and is known for its abundant forests and large population of orangutans.

 

“The new capital is a symbol of the nation’s identity and a new center of gravity,” the Indonesian Minister of Planning said after the Indonesian parliament approved the agreement. Some opponents of the transfer of the capital to Kalimantan believe that the start of economic and commercial activities will lead to the cutting down of trees in this area rich in wildlife with lush rainforests. Groups representing Borneo indigenous peoples have expressed concern that the decision could jeopardize their environment and culture.

 

The transfer of the capital is estimated to cost about 466 trillion rupees ($ 32.4 billion) and will be one of the most significant Indonesian government infrastructure projects ever undertaken. Indonesia is not the first country to change its capital. Brazil, Pakistan, and Nigeria also moved their capitals to cities designed and built for this purpose.