Indonesia Goverment to Begin Preparations in 2018 to Move Capital out of Jakarta

State Minister for National Development Planning and Chairman of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro..

Jakarta Post, 10 Shawwal 1438/4 June 2017 (MINA) – The government has announced it will begin preparations next year to move the capital from Jakarta, which will remain the country’s business and financial centre, straitstimes.com reported.

National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said on Monday (July 3) that he had discussed details of the capital’s relocation with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace on Monday.

Bambang, who heads the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), said he and the President had discussed the feasibility study and funding for the project.

“In 2018 or 2019, there will be activities related to the transfer of the administration of the central government [to the new capital city],” said Bambang.

Bappenas and the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry will lead ministries and other government institutions in executing the plan, said Bambang, adding that it would take three to four years to turn a city into the capital city.

“We need three to four years to finish all of the basic infrastructure and government buildings,” said Bambang.

Bambang said the presidential and ministerial offices would be moved to the new capital, while Jakarta would remain a business and financial centre.

Bambang did not mention which city would be become the new capital, but cities previously mentioned by government officials include Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, and Jonggol in Bogor, West Java.

Bambang hinted that the new capital would be located outside of Java. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)