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View all search resultsThe government is discussing the possibility of relocating the capital city to another area in an attempt to reduce Jakarta's severe traffic
he government is discussing the possibility of relocating the capital city to another area in an attempt to reduce Jakarta's severe traffic. Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan and Jonggol in West Java are said to be options for the new capital. Give us your opinion on the idea of relocating the capital and, if possible, share your thoughts on how to tackle the traffic problem.
Move the capital city far from Jakarta
Andi Rani Pratiwi Darmawangsa Gunadarma University student, Depok
If the capital was relocated, Palangkaraya would be the best option. If the capital is moved to Jonggol, the problems would be the same. Jonggol is not far from Jakarta. The commuters would remain the same as Jonggol is still accessible from the nearby towns of Bogor, Bekasi and Tangerang.
The traffic problem cannot be solved. We can use the US as a model, where Washington is located far from New York, one of their business centers.
Palangkaraya, which is located in the middle of Borneo, has few earthquakes and less potential for tsunamis. The relocation would help develop Palarangkaya.
Palangkaraya could be transformed into one of our reliable big cities, such as Medan, Surabaya and other cities in Java.
The capital city's move should be done as soon as possible, considering the fact that the traffi c in Jakarta is getting worse and worse. The traffi c problem is really bad. The government must do something to tackle urbanization and traffi c problems.
Public transportation must be revived. Not only infrastructure, but also more safety for the public. There are many pickpockets on Transjakarta buses and trains. For women, public transportation is still a disaster due to sexual harassment.
I think the plan to relocate the capital city is a brilliant idea so that Jakarta and Greater Jakarta can focus on business and industry. And the President can work better, and not get stressed out due to the traffic.
We can make a new Jakarta
Dini Inaya Communications student, University of Indonesia
Riyadh and Jeddah are good examples of how to relocate a capital. Riyadh's development is well-planned. All office buildings are placed in one area while the embassies are in the other. The residential complexes are in a different place.
Jeddah, the former capital city, is now only for business and tourism.
The relocation of a capital city would change many things. It would move the offi ces of the ministries and other public services. But I hope the new place is not going to be too far, because I am thinking of becoming a civil servant.
Jonggol, I think, is too close. If the capital were in Jonggol, it would widen Jakarta. It wouldn't solve the problem. Instead, it would create more problems since the area for traffic is greater.
If we could see the positive sides of the relocation, I think it could solve some of Jakarta's problems. Jakarta could be re-planned. The system could change. We could have better infrastructure, building more streets to handle traffic as small streets actually don't fi t the growing number of residents.
The Jakarta administration could also create better public transportation and make systems for drainage to handle flooding. It would be like having a new Jakarta.
The relocation must be not too far from Jakarta
Ananda Berkah English Literature, UNJ
Jakarta is too vast now. Development is not equal in each area. South Jakarta is more civilized, East Jakarta is more crowded. It is because the government didn't have any standards when developing the city.
It is a bit late now for the government to solve all the problems at once. The city is already crowded and hard to plan.
Given the present situation, the President and his staff are not working well in Jakarta. I think relocating the capital is a brilliant idea. Jonggol might be the best place. It's small but not too far.
The government would not have to build too much new infrastructure if Jonggol were the new capital, unlike Palangkaraya where new buildings and roads would have to be built. On the other side, Java is still the best place because of its modernity.
Jakarta has much homework to do. One is traffi c. I would suggest the government build wider roads, add more cozy transportation and introduce a new rule in which private cars are allowed to use main roads only 3-4 days per week.
The last one is hard, but I believe it's good. The same rules for those riding private cars (or motorcycles) is also needed. The relocation might solve these traffic problems.
Next topic: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono celebrated the first anniversary of his second term in office on Oct. 20. Much has been done but much remains the same. The public can see that the fight against graft is half-hearted. There is also concern about growing radicalism in society. Give us your opinion about Yudhoyono's government after the first year of his second term. If we need a Cabinet reshuffle, which ministers should be replaced?
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