TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) opined the capital city relocation may socially affect the local people of East Kalimantan in terms of population. LIPI’s head of population studies, Herry Yogaswara, said social conflict might occur in the new capital.

“Talking about possible social conflict, we cannot deliberately say it will happen. Because since now, the exact location and surrounding areas to be affected have been mapped, so the risk can be reduced,” said Herry to Tempo, Tuesday, August 27.

However, social conflict is inevitable due to emerging interests. “Such as disputes over a thing, that’s a lot, or land dispute even though the government has stated that it belongs to the country, but we don’t know it in the field, it may have been occupied,” Herry added.

Besides, a conflict may arise should there is a certain group demanding priority. “That possibly happens.”

Therefore, Herry suggested the government conduct conflict mitigation by mapping the areas and preparing measures to diminish the risk.

“So far, no horizontal violence has occurred in the two districts of East Kalimantan relatively. But, conflict is an absolute event. [What’s important is] where and how it can be prevented because there are always different interests,” he said.

The two districts mentioned by Herry are Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara, the chosen locations of the new capital city as announced by President Joko Widodo on Monday, August 26.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI