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Greater Jakarta needs new governance structure once capital moved, experts say
One expert has suggested that Jakarta be expanded to form a new province that includes the satellite cities of Bekasi and Depok in West Java and Tangerang and South Tangerang in Banten.
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The National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta stands out amid thick smog on Tuesday, Sept. 3. (JP/Rafaela Chandra)
F
ollowing the announcement of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plan to relocate the country’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan by 2024, many have wondered what will happen to Jakarta without its special status.
While officials claim there has yet to be an in-depth discussion on the future of Jakarta, experts have offered suggestions for the ideal governance structure for the city of 10 million inhabitants that continues to be marred by traffic congestion, air pollution and waste management issues.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the fate of Jakarta’s special autonomy lay in the hands of the central government.
“We don’t know yet what the term for Jakarta will be, but the discussion on special autonomy is ongoing,” he told reporters recently.
Jakarta has enjoyed special autonomy status as the special capital region, called Daerah Khusus Ibukota (DKI), as stipulated in a 2007 law on Jakarta as the capital city.
The Home Ministry's acting regional autonomy director general, Akmal Malik, said the ministry was waiting for the House of Representatives and the government to further discuss the content of a draft bill that will be proposed for deliberation as part of the relocation plan.
“There has yet to be a deliberation [regarding Jakarta’s status]. It is still too early to discuss it,” he told The Jakarta Post.
