By: Dodik Prasetyo )*
The capital city of Indonesia, DKI Jakarta has an area of 662 Km2, in 2017 the metropolitan city was crowded with 10.2 million people at night and increased to more than 13.2 million people during the day. There is no doubt that Jakarta is ranked ninth in the world as the most populous capital of the World Economic Forum.
The discourse of moving the capital city in Indonesia seems to be a serious discussion for the government. President Joko Widodo has also held a limited meeting to discuss the discourse more intensely.
Public policy observer from Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Dr. Slamet Rosyadi assessed that the transfer of the capital city to other regions could have an impact on economic equality.
“In general, that is a good idea. During this time the economic center of the city in Jakarta. While other regions such as outside Java have become less developed, most modern facilities are in Jakarta, “he said.
Slamet also gave an example, the separation of trade cities and industries with the national capital would have a positive impact.
Like Australia. Where Canberra is the capital city, it is not a trade or industrial city. From the beginning Canberra was the administrative center of government. This is intended so that residents who need administrative services will experience convenience. No need to bother because of traffic jams.
In addition, he also said that the transfer of the nation’s capital could also affect national trade and economic flows.
“If Jakarta experiences a disaster, foam will disrupt the flow of national trade and economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the transfer of the capital was also considered as an effort to avoid conflict. Turro Wongkaren as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business UI stated that from the demographic side, East Kalimantan has a higher index of human growth compared to South and Central Kalimantan, even with other regions in Indonesia.
In addition, tribes in East Kalimantan are richer than other provinces which are candidates for new capitals.
“If we look at the proportion of the three major tribes in East Kalimantan, they are Banjar, Javanese and Bugis. While in Central Kalimantan the majority are Dayaks with various groups, “he said.
With this proportion, East Kalimantan is considered to have a lower potential for horizontal conflict compared to Central Kalimantan. Moreover, identity conflicts have occurred in Central Kalimantan a few years ago,
The Minister of Planning and National Development / Head of Bappenas Bambang PS Brodjonegoro revealed that the estimated cost of building a new capital of 40,000 hectares outside Java requires a budget of around Rp. 466 trillion.
Bambang also said, Java is still too dominant for the Indonesian economy. The transfer of the capital was also carried out to change the mindset from jawasentris to Indonesiasentris.
In addition, he also said that the rational reason for moving the capital was for economic equality.
“Java Island covers almost 50 percent of Indonesia’s economy,” said Bambang
Meanwhile, the government has chosen to build a new capital city outside Java considering the increasing burden in DKI Jakarta.
Later the new capital will be announced to represent the national identity, improve effective and efficient government management and implement the capital that is smart, green and beautiful city.
With this, of course, President Soekarno’s dream, which never materialized, began to emerge again during President Jokowi’s administration.
On the occasion of the Limited Meeting (Ratas) at the Presidential Office, Jokowi claimed to be optimistic that the transfer of the Capital City could be realized if prepared carefully.
The discourse of the transfer of the capital appeared also based on the burden of Java today which is no longer able to bear the burden and density of the population. In 2017, the population on Java Island represents 60 percent of Indonesia’s population.
Such residents certainly need clean water and large food availability, while conservation areas, agricultural land and forest areas are decreasing.
University of Indonesia (UI) Urban Sociology Expert Paulu Wirutomo believes that if a city has approached densities that have endangered people’s lives it is best to find ways to spread so that a city can grow again. The most effective strategy for spreading the population according to him is by moving the capital city.
)* The author is a social activist at the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute (LSISI)