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From Kuala Cebong to Penakut: Netizens suggest names for new capital as govt prepares for relocation
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An aerial view of Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road through Samboja district in Kutai Kartanegara is seen on Wednesday. The toll gate in Samboja will serve as an entrance to the planned new capital. (JP/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
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s the government prepares to relocate the capital, which is expected to be complete in five years, netizens are having the time of their lives coming up with names for Jakarta's successor.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced on Monday that Indonesia’s new capital city would be built in part of North Penajam Paser regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara regency in East Kalimantan in a bid to ensure equal development across the country and lift some of the heavy burden off Jakarta.
On the same occasion, National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro, who first proposed the relocation plan in April, regarded a reporter's question on the name of the capital as "far-fetched".
"The President has not given any instruction on naming [the new capital], [we are] focusing on drafting a bill [on the relocation]," he told The Jakarta Post via text message on Wednesday.
Bambang was referring to a bill currently formulated by the government that would serve as the legal foundation for the relocation and was expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives by the end of this year. Along with the draft, the government is also working on a masterplan and urban design before proceeding with the construction by the end of 2020.
Although the government has not announced any plans to take into account the public's suggestions for the new name, Indonesians have taken to twitter to showcase their creativity in naming the new capital.
A user with twitter handle @EnggalPm tweeted on Tuesday a picture listing his suggestions while tagging the President's official account, @jokowi, saying, "Attached is a list of new capital names proposed by the House of [twitter] Timeline Representatives. We hope [they] can be taken into consideration."
