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Bye-bye Jakarta! Confirmed: Indonesia moving their capital to Borneo

Bye-bye Jakarta! Confirmed: Indonesia moving their capital to Borneo

In case you didn’t hear, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced
back in April that they will be changing their capital city, shifting away from
the congested streets of Jakarta.

Screenshot from Google Maps

He then took to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to ask millions
of Indonesians for suggestions on the new capital.

Now, a mere 3 months later, Jokowi’s taken to Twitter again to make the big announcement of the capital change.

Indonesia’s new capital city will be in Kalimantan, Borneo!

Whooo! So our Sabahan and Sarawakkian brothers will soon have an exciting new addition to their island.

According to Jokowi’s Tweet, the new capital is a toss-up between Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan or South Kalimantan. Meaning, they’re still deciding a new capital city lah.

Screenshot from Google Maps

Why is Indonesia moving the capital city?

Pic Credit: Amino

Long story short, Jakarta is sinking.

According to BBC, the 10-million strong city is the world’s fastest-sinking city. In fact, it’s sunk 13 feet (around 3.9 metres) in the last 30 years!

Coupled with the rising sea levels, Jakarta is in a very dangerous position with researchers speculating that the city could be underwater by 2050.

But the idea of moving the capital away from Jakarta has been floating around since the nation’s independence in 1945. It’s just finally happening now.

Bye-bye Jakarta?

Well… kinda…

Jakarta

Moving a capital city is a herculean task that requires a lot of time, research and careful planning. Jokowi estimates that it would take at least 10 years.

So Jakarta will be holding on to its capital crown for another decade at least.

Besides, the Indonesian government envisions it as the New
York City of Indonesia- the financial centre of Southeast Asia’s largest
economy.


There’s no word yet on how the move will be done or when it
will begin, but there are concerned replies to Jokowi’s tweet on the forests of
Borneo.

Translation: Ouch … how many more forests do you want cleared …

Translation: What is the urgency of moving the capital, sir?
How much more forest must be cleared?

Translation: Hopefully this doesnt damage the Kalimantan forest and it will still be able to be the lungs of the world.
Not just for human selfishness.

Translation: We support development, but we condemn forest destruction and deforestation.


According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), about 56% of protected lowland tropical rainforests in Kalimantan were cut down between 1985 and 2001.

Pic Credit: WWF

WWF also says that Borneo forests are facing serious deforestation threats with blossoming palm oil plantations, logging, mining as well as illegal wildlife hunting and trade.

Until the Indonesian government makes it clear where the new capital will be and how much development they envision, there’s not much we know yet.

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