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Why Jokowi's administration picked two regencies in East Kalimantan to host new capital
Indonesia plans to move its center of government from Jakarta to a 180,000-hectare area spanning two regencies in the eastern part of Borneo. What are the pros and cons?
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (third left), along with other officials, looks at a map as he visits Bukit Soeharto in Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan on May 7. Bukit Soeharto was one of several areas that had been nominated for the site of a new capital city. (Courtesy of Presidential Press Bureau/-)
T
he names of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara regencies in East Kalimantan may not ring a bell for most Indonesians, let alone an international audience, compared to that of the major cities in the province, such as Balikpapan or Samarinda.
However, they found instant fame when they made it into global headlines after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced on Aug. 26 that Indonesia would move its center of government from Jakarta to a 180,000-hectare area spanning the two regencies in the eastern part of Borneo.
The capital relocation is part of the Jokowi administration’s efforts to reduce inequality between Java — the country’s most populated island — and other regions, as well as to take some burden off Jakarta, which has been dragged down by, among other things, overpopulation, traffic congestion and air pollution.
The government decided on the two regencies following thorough studies that officials had conducted over the past three years, Jokowi said.
About the two regencies
Established as a regency in 2002, North Penajam Paser is the newest in East Kalimantan. Its four districts — Babul, Waru, Sepaku and Penajam — were initially parts of Paser regency, which is located south of North Penajam Paser. The new regency was established to accelerate development in the region.
Sepaku might be more well-known among off-road rally racing enthusiasts, as the region has wide gravel roads in the middle of forests. The Indonesian Motor Association held national rally racing competitions in 2008 and 2009 in the district, with national off-road racer Rifat Sungkar winning the races.
