Displacement of the Capital of the Country, from Discourse Rise to be Planning

By: Moch. Irfandi)*

Still remember about the discourse of the transfer of the State Capital from Jakarta to Palangkaraya? Apparently the proposal has been responded by the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Sugianto Sabran, the Provincial Government has made some preparations to support the acceleration of its realization and the plan to move the capital such as allocating the area to be the capital.

“As direct direction of Mr. President also, we have made preparations in order to support the acceleration of the realization of the transfer of this capital city,” said Sugianto, as reported by Central Post (Jawa Pos Group), Monday (10/4)

In addition to land, it prepares the road infrastructure by opening a path for all connected. “Also increased road tonnage,” he added. I shudder to read because I firmly believe that when all the paths are connected, the increase in the level of life will grow very quickly.

With the support of the central government, he continued, the process has now begun to be implemented is the improvement of economic development through strategic programs. “Even some of the national strategic programs in the field of economy and infrastructure have been directed to Central Kalimantan. It is to prepare for us to be more independent, “he said.

Displacement discourse the capital or central government develops in every period of government. Since the era of President Soekarno, Suharto to the last President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this discourse continues to grow without ever realized.

In the book titled ‘Soekarno & Design Plan of the Capital of the Republic of Indonesia in Palangkaraya’ Wijanarka’s work mentioned, twice Bung Karno visited Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan – to see the first the potential of the city became the center of government.

The discourse of the transfer of Indonesian capital to Palangkaraya City has also been expressed by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno. When inaugurated Palangkaraya as the capital of Central Kalimantan province in 1957, Soekarno wanted to design the capital of the country.

Imagine how the rapid development in Palangkaraya when this plan really realized by Jokowi Government. What kept the previous Presidents from realizing our first President’s idea? In my opinion, Era SBY is the most appropriate era to move the State Capital to Palangkaraya.

Economic growth and population in Jakarta increased rapidly in 1971, amounting to 56.4% for the population, economic growth can be imagined from the rapid growth of the population. Then again the increase in the number of population in 2010 amounted to 12.5%. In addition to the density problems that plagued Jakarta, one of the main reasons for the consideration of the need for the removal of the nation’s capital is the economic factor. The uneven economic growth between Java and the outer islands is the main reason.

This was previously expressed by the Minister of National Development Planning / National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro on the reasons for President Joko Widodo’s wish to move the national capital.

According to Bambang, after the implementation of regional autonomy, it must be acknowledged that the role of Java in contributing gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is actually increasing. While the areas outside Java including Kalimantan, it has decreased. Currently the island of Java still accounts for 54 percent of Indonesia’s GDP, and areas such as Kalimantan tend to decline.

“Therefore, Mr. President thinks it is time to balance this growth and economic development, so that all regions can be evenly distributed,” he said when answering questions Kalteng Pos when in Palangka Raya, last Thursday (6/4).

The government considers that Jakarta’s burden as the center of government as well as the Indonesian economy makes it increasingly ineffective. “With the current and ever-increasing loads, we are no longer inefficient to run an effective and solid center of government. For that, we must immediately build a new economic center and it is chosen outside of Java, “said Bambang.

In addition to these economic considerations, continued Bambang, the choice of Palangka Raya as the candidate location of the state capital, is a historical and geographical consideration. “About Palangkaraya which will be the capital of this city has been erupted by our founding father Bung Karno first. Which of course was triggered not without reason and consideration, “he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Urban Housing and Settlement Bappenas Tri Dewi Virgiyanti said Bappenas will accelerate the initial review of the plan for three months. “Originally planned for the end of the year, but we will speed up and expected to be completed in August,” he said.

On the security side as well, by moving all State Administration affairs outside Jakarta, this will make the Government’s position safer. We still remember the incident in 1998 where economic activity was paused by fairies.

On the security side as well, by moving all State Administration affairs outside Jakarta, this will make the Government’s position safer. We still remember the incident in 1998 where economic activity was paused due to reform events.

And I see, every Jokowi plan always ends with realization. Hopefully this plan is really done.

)* The author is CIDISS contributor