By: Ahmad Multhazam )*
The transfer of the national capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan was one of the focuses of President Jokowi in his second period. The acceleration of the removal of the capital city is believed to be able to improve and evenly spread the economy in Indonesia.
Of course, the effort to move the capital city is not an easy matter, but we certainly have to believe that all challenges can be overcome.
The move to move the capital city location is certainly a good step in looking at the glorious Kalimantan and a better, carefree Jakarta.
If we look closely, the plan to relocate the Republic of Indonesia Capital as a form of observance of the fifth precepts in Pancasila, namely social justice for all Indonesian people. So with the relocation of the Capital City from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, it is expected that economic equality and infrastructure development will occur in Kalimantan.
The following are some countries that have moved their capital cities:
English
England moved its capital from Winchester to London in 1066. At that time the transfer process went smoothly and did not cause social unrest. Because London itself already has a large enough population, and now London is one of the capitals that has a fairly rapid rate of progress.
Australia
Melbourne is the first capital city since the founding of Australia. But in 1911 the government held an international contest because it wanted to choose the New Capital City. The condition is that the city must have a city park with large funds in the center of the city. Only Canberra meets these requirements. As a result in 1927 the capital of Australia moved from Melbourne to Canbera.
Canberra as the nation’s capital, is not a city of commerce or industry. From the beginning Canberra was the center of government administration. It is intended that citizens who need administrative services will experience convenience. No need to bother because of traffic jams.
Pakistan
The Pakistani government in 1959 decided to move its capital from Karachi in the south to Islamabad on the north side of the country.
Islamabad began construction in 1961, referring to the master plan, the city is divided into 8 zones namely administrative, diplomatic, residential, educational, industrial, commercial, and rural areas and green open spaces.
Islamabad is the most expensive city in Pakistan with a population of mostly middle to upper economic status. The city is also the safest city in Pakistan supported by surveillance that relies on 1900 CCTV cameras throughout the city.
Myanmar
The name of the new capital Myamar Naypidaw was officially announced on March 27, 2006, right on the anniversary of Myanmar’s armed forces. The city, which is located 320 kilometers north of Yangoon, is officially the Administrative Capital.
The Guardian newspaper said the city was a lighthouse project by military junta leader Than Shwe. Naypidaw’s location is relatively in the middle of Myanmar so it reaches other regions.
Brazil
The country which is famous for many world soccer stars has also moved its capital, on April 21, 1960, the Brazilian government inaugurated a new city called Brasilia to become the center of government of the country replacing Rio De Janeiro.
Now Brasilia is home to federal government institutions including the congress, president and the Supreme Court. Brasilia is home to 124 embassies of friendly countries in Brazil. Brazil is also currently the fourth most populous city in Brazil and has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site because of its unique architecture.
Kazakhstan
Since it was still under Soviet control until independence in 1992, Almaty has always been the capital of Kazakhstan. However, in 1997 the country’s government moved the capital to Astana, a new modern city north of Almaty. The transfer was carried out because Almaty was considered too narrow, earthquake-prone and located too close to the border of the LAN country.
Therefore, we also don’t need to worry if the Capital City will Move from Jakarta, although there will be concerns that Jakarta’s economy will slow down. But with the economic condition of Jakarta with a large turnover of money, Jakarta is still classified as very strong and independent to sustain its own life.
This means that the effort to relocate the New Capital in Indonesia is a good faith from the government to make Indonesia progress.
)* The author is a social political observer