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Relocating capital no real help for Jakarta: Experts
“Jakarta’s burden lies with the economic activities. This is a center of business and culture. People will still flock to Jakarta for economic opportunities,” Trisakti University urbanist Nirwono Joga said.
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Pedestrians cross Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta at a zebra crossing blocked by heavy traffic in this file photo. Traffic congestion has forced pedestrians to walk in zig-zag patterns to avoid vehicles when crossing the street. (The Jakarta Post/Dhoni Setiawan)
A
s old proverb says: “When there is sugar, there are bound to be ants.” Jakarta’s sweetness would still engulf the city with urban woes even after its special status of being capital was taken away, according to experts.
Concerns about Jakarta were raised following an announcement made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo that he would press ahead with an old plan to relocate the seat of political power away from the city. He made the decision earlier this week because Jakarta’s status as the center of government and public services, as well as business activities, made the old port city suffer the massive woes its residents know too well, such as traffic congestion, floods and patchwork urban development.
Under the relocation plan, which is still being formulated by the government, Jakarta would serve as a business, trade and financial hub while the new capital would host the central government’s administrative, legislative and judicial functions.
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However, taking away the city’s capital status would not automatically wipe out its growing urban woes, as Jakarta would still be what Jakarta is today, Trisakti University urbanist Nirwono Joga said.
“Jakarta’s burden lies with the economic activities. This is a center of business and culture. People will still flock to Jakarta for economic opportunities,” Nirwono said.
To go ahead with the plan, he suggested the government should closely study other countries that have moved their capital cities such as the United States, Australia and Malaysia.
