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Military bases to be built in North Penajam Paser for new capital defense
The new capital will require full defense protection from potential threats from land, sea and air.
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Military tanks participate in an exercise at a naval base in Cilegon, West Java, in October 2015 in preparation for the military's 70th anniversary celebration. (AFP/Romeo Gacad)
T
he Indonesian Military (TNI) is set to established new military bases in North Penajam Paser regency in East Kalimantan, where the new capital will be located.
TNI commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto revealed on Wednesday that the military would build new TNI, Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters near the center of government in the new capital to replace their Jakarta headquarters.
“The placement of TNI forces and other military bases will be in North Penajam Paser, alongside the Presidential Palace, the legislative complex and the offices of ministries, state institutions and foreign embassies,” Hadi told lawmakers as quoted by kompas.com.
Hadi said the new capital, which would be built on 180,000 hectares of land straddling the province’s North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara regencies, would require full defense protection from potential threats from land, sea and air.
The commander said the TNI would develop a strong defense system that could thwart missile, rocket and other attacks, security infiltration, cybersabotage and chemical, biological and nuclear threats.
“We will also create routes to mobilize the military through land, water and air as preparation for a contingency plan and VVIP evacuation routes,” Hadi said.
The President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration is currently finalizing a master plan for the new capital city, with a target of starting the development of what Jokowi has dubbed a “smart metropolis” by the end of next year.
The initial stage of the capital's development ─ estimated to cost up to Rp 466 trillion (US$32.7 billion) ─ will cover the construction of houses of worship, the new state palace and ministerial offices, which are expected to be completed by 2024. (dpk)
