By: Dodik Prasetyo) *
The transfer of the Indonesian capital from Java to Kalimantan has indeed become a quite hot topic of discussion in various media. The relocation of the Capital City is believed to not only stimulate new economic growth, but also fulfill the ideological aspects of the nation as a manifestation of social justice for the entire community.
One consideration is that the island of Kalimantan is a strategic area both geographically and economically. It is hoped that the relocation of the capital can have a positive impact on the growth of new economic centers.
If analyzed from the maritime point of view, the removal of the Capital City will certainly grow new port and logistics centers that are in line with the concept of transporting goods via the sea highway that was pioneered by President Joko Widodo.
Previously, on the occasion of a joint session of the DPR RI and DPD RI, the former Mayor of Surakarta also requested permission and support from members of the DPR, elders, national leaders and the people of Indonesia to move the capital to Kalimantan.
We admit that the plan to move the National Capital to Kalimantan ignited the pros and cons of various groups. However, PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk, has stated that it supports the move of the State Capital from Jakartta to Region 2 districts in East Kalimantan Province namely Penajam and Kutai Kertanegara.
One of the toll roads managed by Jasa Marga’s subsidiary. The Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road will cross the Samboja District, Kutai Kertanegara, which until early September 2019 was almost 100 percent complete.
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono revealed that the groundbreaking of a new capital city would be accelerated.
Previously, according to the timeline for implementing the transfer of the national capital from the planning documents of the Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia / National Development Planning Agency (PPN / Bappenas), the new government would carry out a groundbreaking in the new capital city in 2021.
According to Basuki, the reason for the accelerated plan is because now the government has pocketed some of the best new capital design design results from the contest which was participated by approximately 755 participants.
LIPI historian Asvi Warman Adam believes that if the capital city is moved, then Indonesia will record gold ink in Indonesia’s political history. Where Indonesia will create a new Capital, not a Capital of colonial heritage.
Asvi said, the relocation of the capital city or central government is closely related to 2 things, namely the driving factors and pull factors. History records the driving and pulling factors when the central government was moved to Yogyakarta in 1946 triggered by the condition of Jakarta which at that time was considered unsafe, and both military and police officials were deemed not to be fully functioning so that Yogyakarta offered to become the center of the government and this was approved by the President and Vice President.
In 1948 the President and Vice President were taken prisoner by the Dutch. The president then sent a telegram to form an emergency government center in Bukit Tinggi. Then in 1950, the president was domiciled in Jakarta.
In 1957, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan was established as the Provincial Capital. Asvi said, President Soekarno at that time felt fit to become Palangkaraya as the capital of the country because of his position in the middle of Indonesian territory and its area was one third of Indonesia’s territory.
At that time Bung Karno was very serious in planning the transfer, even he did not just discuss it. Bung Karno reportedly had compiled a design for the New Capital City he planned.
But apparently there was something that made Sukarno postpone the plan, at which time Indonesia was offered to host the Asian Games so that it was impossible for such a multi-event to be held in the New Capital City. Therefore, a large stadium was built in Senayan, a welcome statue in front of the Hotel Indonesia (HI) so that the plan to move the capital city was scattered.
In the event of the relocation of this capital city, Indonesia also cooperates with other countries to collaborate on aspects of urban planning, the assignment of experts and the exchange of knowledge and technology.
Of course the effort to relocate the capital city is not an easy matter, but we certainly have to be sure and optimistic that all challenges can be overcome for a more advanced Indonesia.
) * The author is a social political observer
