In the future Jakarta is not the capital of Indonesia anymore
The business sector however, has expressed some mixed reactions, with some business voiced against the move. While some business expressed their willingness to support government's decision, Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) an influential business lobby group, is worried by the idea, arguing that businesses — most with headquarters in Jakarta — need to consult and lobby the government on a regular basis. Thus the move would be inconvenient, and possibly costly for businesses.
New Capital City Proposal
If the first option to create a completely new capital away from Jakarta would be chosen, then the island ofKalimantan is considered as a suitable location. The island is vast and away from Indonesian tectonicconvergent boundary, which means it is relatively safe from earthquake and volcanic eruption. The suggested locations include:
- Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. Since it was established as the capital of Central Kalimantan province in 1957, the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, outlined a plan to develop Palangkaraya as the future capital of Indonesia.Palangkaraya is far larger in area than Jakarta and safe from the danger of earthquakes andvolcanoes, common on the island of Java.
- Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Compared to Palangkaraya, Banjarmasin is located closer to the center of the country, has better access to the Java Sea and has better infrastructure.
- Kota Merdeka is a proposed planned city located north of Pangkalan Bun town, West Kotawaringin Regency,Central Kalimantan.Compared to far inland Palangkaraya, Kota Merdeka is located nearer to coastal areas and has better access to Java Sea.
- Pontianak, West Kalimantan.Located perfectly on equator and strategically located by Karimata Strait and South China Sea, in the same region with otherASEAN capitals such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bandar Seri Begawan. Despite its strategic location, the proposal is criticized for its proximity to Malaysian border and disputed areas in South China Sea.
- Between Balikpapan and Samarinda, East Kalimantan. According to East Kalimantan Governor, Awang Faroek Ishak, East Kalimantan possess all requirements to be Indonesia's new capital. The region is located right in the center of Indonesia, by Makassar Strait which has become Indonesia's second main maritime passage, connecting Indonesia to East Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Japan and Australia. Endowed with rich natural resources, especially timber, coal, oil and liquid natural gas, East Kalimantan has natural and financial resources to built infrastructure befitting a new Indonesian capital.
- Palembang, South Sumatra. The city has historical significance, as the former capital of Srivijaya maritime empire; which symbolyze the return of archipelago's former glory. It also strategically located near main maritime route of Malacca Strait, near other ASEAN capitals of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.Nevertheless, the plan is criticized for its geographic location in the west that is not the center of the archipelago, and its proximity to Malaysian and Singaporean borders
New administrative center
If Jakarta is kept as the official capital, and the administrative centers would be moved to other location not far from Jakarta, the suggested locations include:
- Jonggol, West Java. Dubbed as the most realistic option to move the capital city, Jonggol is located just 40 kilometres southeast from Jakarta, and has become a planned future capital of Indonesia since the era of Soeharto presidency.Jonggol is located in the province of West Java, a neighbouring province of Jakarta.
- Karawang, West Java, located about 60 kilometres east of Jakarta.
- Kertajati, Majalengka Regency, West Java. Located about 200 kilometres east of Jakarta and 40 kilometres west of Cirebon. The proposed planned capital will be connected to planned West Java new airport, Java railways and Trans-Java toll road.
- Maja, Lebak Regency, Banten. Located about 60 kilometres west of Jakarta. Most of Maja lands are already acquired by government owned Badan Penyehatan Perbankan Nasional (BPPN).
- Jakarta Bay, North Jakarta. This plan is actually do not move the capital away from Jakarta, but adding lands north of Jakarta by reclaiming new islands in Jakarta Bay. In 2013, Joko Widodo, then Governor of Jakarta, once proposed to move the administrative center of Indonesia to the planned future reclamated islands in Jakarta Bay. This plan is inline with the planned National Capital Integrated Coastal Development; the new administrative district will be located on Garuda bird-shaped island planned to be built on Jakarta Bay
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