Indonesia picks site for new capital

Indonesia will move its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. President Joko Widodo has announced that two regencies in East Kalimantan are to be the site of the country's new capital city. Jakarta is slowly sinking into the sea.

"The government has conducted in-depth studies in the past three years and as a result of those studies the new capital will be built in part of North Penajam Paser regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara regency in East Kalimantan," the President said at a press conference at the State Palace in Central Jakarta yesterday.

He said that he had sent a letter to the House of Representatives about the decision and that the government would prepare a bill regarding the capital relocation for the House's approval as soon as possible.

He also said that planning must start immediately if relocation is to begin in 2024.

The plan to move the capital from the island of Java was first announced by National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro in April. The new capital is to act as the center of government, while Jakarta would remain the country's business and economic center.